Yo fills out Ole Miss bench with ‘future head coach’ and other rising stars
Ole Miss women’s basketball head coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin finalized her 2024-25 coaching staff on Thursday.
New to the Rebel bench are Empress Davenport, Kayla Gordon and Joy Cheek-Smith as assistant coaches. Jake Whitehead was also elevated from video coordinator to assistant.
Davenport comes to the Rebels by way of UTSA, where she spent three seasons. The Roadrunners won 18 games a year ago, which was their most in a single season since 2009.
Among Davenport’s duties was recruiting coordinator. Further, she made three NCAA Tournament appearances over a four-year (2012-16) playing career at Texas. Davenport averaged 7.2 points and 3.6 rebounds.
“Empress is a rising star, winner and competitor,” McPhee-McCuin said. “I’ve had the pleasure of watching Empress from afar. Her work ethic and competitive nature reminds me of myself. She’s impacted every program she’s touched positively. I’m excited for her to get to work here in the ‘Sip.”
Davenport played one professional season, in Sweden.
She returned to the States as an assistant coach for two seasons for Nike ProSkills EYBL.
Smith spent three seasons at Lamar. The Cardinals won 17 of their 18 Southland games in 2018-19. They finished 24-7 overall.
“I’m extremely excited and grateful to join coach Yo and the entire Ole Miss family,” Davenport said. “Coach Yo has a tremendous vision for success. I’m appreciative she trusts me to be a part of her staff and part of that process. I can’t wait to get started and help win championships at Ole Miss.
“I look forward to hitting the ground running.”
Rebel Reset: Davis gets WNBA Draft invite; Ole Miss baseball helping ‘Stand Up To Cancer’
Gordon is reuniting with McPhee-McCuin after a three-season stop at Jacksonville, her alma mater.
McPhee-McCuin coached Gordon as a Dolphin. Gordon was best rebounder in school history and the program’s only player with over 1,000 career rebounds (1,031). Her 1,225 points scored are the fourth-most all-time.
“It’s always been a dream of mine to work alongside a former player,” McPhee-McCuin said. “Timing hasn’t presented that option for me until now.
“Kayla is an elite-level person (with) elite character and someone I’ve been able to watch closely as she’s begun her coaching journey. We won a championship and a lot of games together. Kayla knows what I stand for. She’ll be incredible for our players (as) a great teacher, communicator and person.
“I’m excited to see her impact with ‘Team 50’ and every team after.”
Gordon played four years at Jacksonville.
She was a member of the 2016-16 Dolphins, who won the ASUN Tournament championship. Gordon was ASUN Freshman of the Year in 2014-15 and the league’s Defensive Player of the Year as a senior. She was also first-team All-ASUN that year.
Gordon is originally from Meridian and played three seasons in Europe, mostly with Vimpelin Veto in the Finland Korisliga. She averaged 19.4 points during her final professional season (23 games) and shot 49 percent from the field.
“I’m overjoyed to be joining the women’s basketball program at Ole Miss,” Gordon said. “I’m extremely grateful for the opportunity to work with someone I love and respect. Coach Yo is a phenomenal coach who has and will continue to impact the game of basketball.
“As her former player, I know first-hand of her impact and willingness to grow and develop those around her. This is truly a full-circle moment to return to my home state of Mississippi and work alongside coach Yo.”
Cheek-Smith served as a Clemson assistant the last six years.
She has over 13 years of coaching experience at the Power Five level.
Cheek-Smith is a one-time Duke standout (2006-10). She helped lead the Blue Devils to four straight NCAA Tournament berths. She was an All-ACC Tournament first-teamer and All-ACC third-teamer.
The Indiana Fever took Cheek-Smith with the No. 35 overall selection in the 2010 WNBA Draft. She appeared in seven games before traveling overseas to play in Poland.
Gordon signed briefly with the Washington Mystics (2011). However, she quickly returned to Duke as an assistant.
“Joy is a future head coach and huge addition to our program,” McPhee-McCuin said. “She has an incredible knack for relating to players. Her reputation as an elite player-developer is well-known.
“Joy’s helped signed All-Americans and high-level players throughout all of her coaching stops. I’m excited for her to bring her knowledge of the game and competitive nature to the ‘Sip.”
Cheek-Smith eventually left Duke for Ohio State, but not before she helped her the Blue Devils to the Elite 8 in both of her seasons.
She was an assistant and recruiting coordinator for the Buckeyes from 2013-16. Ohio State landed Top 25 recruiting classes in each of her final two campaigns. The Buckeyes were Top 5 in 2016.
Cheek-Smith was named one of the WBCA’s ‘Thirty Under 30’ in her two seasons at Vanderbilt. She joined Clemson in 2018. The Tigers made the NCAA Tournament in 2019. Amari Robinson was second-team All-ACC in 2023.
“I’m extremely excited for the opportunity to work for coach Yo at Ole Miss,” Cheek-Smith said. “She’s a dynamic leader and a proven winner on and off the court. “I’ve always admired what she’s done in rebuilding the program and how she’s positively impacted the lives of her players.
“I’m excited to be a part of the program as she continues to elevate Ole Miss and win championships.”
White is in his third season at Ole Miss.
His last two were as coordinator of video operations. His duties included assisting in all video aspects of scouting reports. He also live-coded games.
“I’ve had the opportunity to closely watch Jake blossom,” McPhee-McCuin said. “He’s stood out with his work ethic, positive energy and knowledge of the game. I’m grateful the NCAA has allowed two more positions for assistant coaches. Jake deserves the opportunity.”
“I’m honored for this new opportunity here at Ole Miss,” Whitehead said. “The mentorship coach Yo provides not only to her players but also her staff is truly one of a kind. I look forward to continuing to grow under her leadership.”
