Teaira McCowan Could Be The Next Big Thing
Julian Andrews
March 1, 2019
This piece does not reflect the views of the Minnesota Lynx
Teaira McCowan: 6’7, C, Mississippi State
College Stats in 2018-19 (as of Feb. 20, 2019):
23 games, 27.5 MPG, 17.2 PPG, 13.7 RPG, 0.8 APG, 0.8 SPG, 2.6 BPG, 64.1 FG%, 0.0 3P%, 75.0 FT%
Where she’ll go:
McCowan will likely be taken in the first round but could be picked anywhere in the top 10.
The Rundown:
The WNBA is loaded with talented bigs and in the 2019 season it will add several more. There’s a real argument about the best frontcourt prospect in the draft, but many believe McCowan holds the crown.
McCowan is a possession ender—an elite rebounder and shot blocker who will provide an instant impact on the boards and be able to take on tough defensive assignments. She’s the type of player you can imagine developing into someone who could be put in single coverage with players like Sylvia Fowles, Liz Cambage and A’Ja Wilson and hold her own—that’s extremely valuable in the WNBA right now. McCowan’s rebounding will be her calling card in the WNBA. She will prevent second-chance opportunities and her improved passing abilities will help her future team initiate opportunities on the break after opponent misses.
While McCowan’s impact as a defender is obvious, her role on a WNBA offense is a little less clear. She’s not a great perimeter shooter and will never be a stretch five. However, she is an extremely efficient scorer and can do real damage on the block or as a threat to catch lobs or passes once she establishes deep post position. McCowan will also undoubtedly get a lot of scoring opportunities off put backs. She is the best offensive rebounder in the NCAA right now and that skill should translate to the WNBA. She also has a role as a finisher on the break—she is more mobile than many other players her size. McCowan has the height to line up against almost anyone and she will be a nightmare to box out.
If the Lynx end up picking McCowan, she would likely compete for backup minutes at center with Temi Fagbenle, though she could also certainly play alongside her if Fagbenle plays the four. McCowan is definitely a center—she probably doesn’t have a future as a multi-position threat in the league—but her size and skill around the rim will make her one of the most coveted prospects in the draft. McCowan will make a difference defensively immediately for any team that drafts her and if she can continue to develop offensively, she could be a game-changer for any team.
Check out the rest of our prospect profiles, plus more Lynx-related draft coverage at lynxbasketball.com’s Draft Central.