Ole Miss Women's Basketball Suffers Brutal Transfer Portal Loss With Starting Guard

Mar 7, 2025; Greenville, SC, USA; Ole Miss Rebels guard Sira Thienou (0) on defense against Texas Longhorns guard Rori Harmon (3) during the first half at Bon Secours Wellness Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

Ole Miss Women's Basketball Suffers Brutal Transfer Portal Loss With Starting Guard

Originally posted on Ole Miss Rebels on SI | By Zack Nagy | Last updated Apr 21, 2026 1:18 PM ET

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Ole Miss Rebels Women's Basketball guard Sira Thienou will enter the NCAA Transfer Portal in a brutal blow for the program after revealing her intentions via social media on Monday.

The 6-foot-1 guard emerged a versatile component to Yolett McPhee-McCuin's program across the 2025-26 season after averaging 9.7 points, 5.7 rebounds, 2.3 assists as a sophomore.

Thienou also tallied 48 steals where she became a critical component on defense for the Rebels after helping lead the program to the NCAA Tournament.

The strong season followed up a strong campaign as a freshman in 2024-25 where she was named to the SEC All-Freshman Team.

"Sira starts our defense," McPhee-McCuin said this past season. "Sira rebounds for us. She was shooting 45% from the field, almost 40% from the 3.

"She was our lead defender. She averaged five rebounds a game. That's what we're missing.

BREAKING: Ole Miss’ Sira Thienou plans to enter the transfer portal, she told @On3.

The 6-1 sophomore averaged 9.7 ppg, 5.7 rpg and 1.7 spg this season.

TRACKER: https://t.co/wYv1Ze6704 pic.twitter.com/bdomfZWylM
— Talia Goodman (@TaliaGoodmanWBB) April 21, 2026

"We just don't have any margin of error with Sira being out," McPhee-McCuin added. "It's definitely showing its head. When I built the team she was a big part of it."

Now, the Ole Miss Rebels lose a critical component to the program heading into next season with Thienou now departing Oxford for a new home.

Ole Miss has dominated in the NCAA Transfer Portal market this offseason - inking arguably the No. 1 class in America as the coaching staff looks to make a statement ahead of the 2026-27 season.

The Latest Edition: Doneelah Washington - Guard [Illinois State]

"Doneelah is a two-way player rated as one of the most efficient portal prospects this year and is not even close to reaching her ceiling as a player," said McPhee-McCuin.

"She comes from an incredible basketball family, following in the footsteps of her mom and aunt, who were elite college players, and her cousin, Aneesah a former SEC star. Doneelah will make an immediate impact on our team, and our Oxford community will absolutely love her."

Last season, Washington was a major difference maker, earning All-MVC First Team, All-MVC Defensive Team, All-MVC Most Improved Player and WNIT All-Tournament Team honors after leading the team in average points (16.7), rebounds (8.6), steals (1.9) and blocks (1.7).

This article first appeared on Ole Miss Rebels on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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