Teaira McCowan is an American professional basketball player born on September 28, 1996, in Bryan, Texas.
Standing at an impressive 6 feet 7 inches, she plays as a center and is widely regarded as one of the top talents in the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA).
McCowan is a key player for the Dallas Wings in the WNBA and also competes for Çukurova Basketbol in the Turkish Super League.
Before her professional career, she gained national attention during her standout college tenure at Mississippi State University, where she set records and earned numerous accolades.
Siblings
Teaira has two older siblings, Diarra and Darren, who are mentioned in a video congratulating her on her WNBA draft pick.
However, compared to their famous sister, nothing is known about the duo’s personal life or career pursuits.
Career
McCowan’s basketball career began to take shape at Brenham High School in Texas, where her height and skill set her apart early on.
She continued to develop her game at Mississippi State University from 2015 to 2019, where she became a dominant force in college basketball.
During her freshman year, she earned a spot on the SEC All-Freshman Team, and by her sophomore year, she was named SEC Sixth Player of the Year for her impactful performances off the bench.
Her junior and senior seasons saw her emerge as a starter, breaking records and leading Mississippi State to deep NCAA Tournament runs, including two Final Four appearances.
In 2019, McCowan was selected third overall by the Indiana Fever in the WNBA Draft, marking the start of her professional career.
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She made an immediate impact, hitting a buzzer-beating layup in her debut game and earning a spot on the WNBA All-Rookie Team in her first season.
After three seasons with the Fever (2019–2021), she was traded to the Dallas Wings ahead of the 2022 season.
With the Wings, McCowan has continued to excel, averaging 11.5 points and 8.1 rebounds per game in the 2024 season as of September 2024.
Beyond the WNBA, she has expanded her career internationally, playing for Galatasaray in the Turkish Women’s Basketball Super League (2022–2024) and signing a short-term deal with Çukurova Basketbol in November 2024.
Accolades
McCowan’s career is decorated with numerous accolades that highlight her dominance on the court.
During her time at Mississippi State, she became the all-time leading rebounder in NCAA Tournament history with 240 rebounds.
Her college honors include SEC Player of the Year for 2018–2019, awarded by both the Associated Press and Coaches, as well as SEC Defensive Player of the Year in 2018 and 2019.
She was named the inaugural Naismith Defensive Player of the Year in 2018 and earned WBCA All-American status multiple years.
Additional college honors include ESPNW First Team All-American, AP First Team All-American, the Gillom Trophy in 2019 recognizing the best female collegiate basketball player in Mississippi, SEC Sixth Player of the Year in 2017, and a spot on the SEC All-Freshman Team in 2016.
In her professional career, McCowan’s standout rookie season with the Indiana Fever in 2019 earned her a spot on the WNBA All-Rookie Team.
She finished second in the league in rebounding that year and has consistently been a top performer in the WNBA, known for her rebounding prowess, defensive skills, and scoring efficiency.
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