Another Big Win: Coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin, Ole Miss Land 6-Foot-5 Transfer Center Desrae Kyles
OXFORD, Miss. — Ole Miss head coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin continues to wreak havoc in the transfer portal, gaining a commitment from 6-foot-5 Central Michigan center Desrae Kyles, the player revealed via social media on Saturday.
I been going hard in the dark for a while God told me it’s time to show the world….🙏🏾🌹#theSIP#hottytoddy pic.twitter.com/bKWKlvS8Kz
— desrae kyles (@KDesrae) April 19, 2025
We had a chance to visit with Desrae about her decision to come to Ole Miss to play for Coach Yo.
“I chose Ole Miss because the moment I stepped on campus, I felt the energy from the people. The coaches were incredibly welcoming—it was everything I was looking for, both athletically and personally. I feel that Coach Yo genuinely cares about her players and plays a big role in shaping them not just as athletes, but as people.”
Desrae Kyles on choosing Ole Miss
Kyles, a native of Benton Harbor, Michigan, averaged 3.3 points and 3.1 rebounds per game during her first season with the Chippewas in 2023-2024. She redshirted the 2024-25 season following an injury and is expected to have three years of eligibility remaining.
With so many programs vying for the talented Kyles, we asked what caught her attention with Coach Yo and Ole Miss?
“I spoke with a lot of schools during the recruiting process, but out of every coach I talked to, she was the first head coach to call me and keep it real. She said, ‘I know where you’re coming from. You haven’t played this season due to redshirting, meaning there’s no recent film on you, but trust the process.’ She also said, ‘I believe in you, so you believe in me. I can get you where you want to be—you just have to work.’ That’s all it took! She’s not only an incredible coach with a strong vision for the program, but she also truly cares about her players as people.“
Desrae Kyles on Coach Yo
In high school, Kyles was a two-time Michigan Division II All-State honoree (First team in 2023 and Honorable Mention in 2022) who averaged 18 points and 11 rebounds per game.
We asked Desrae what her basketball goals and dreams are and how she believes Coach Yo can help her reach them.
“My dream is to play professionally—whether that’s in the WNBA or overseas—and to be the kind of player who leaves a lasting impact on every team I’m part of. I also want to grow as a leader and use basketball as a platform to inspire others. Coach Yo has a proven track record of developing talent and preparing players for the next level. I feel like the best way she can help me reach my dreams Is by bringing that dog out of me that I’ve always had but went into hiding after my injury.”
Desrae Kyles
Kyles joins an incredibly formidable transfer portal class at Ole Miss that also features Cotie McMahon (Ohio State), Latasha Lattimore (Virginia), Jayla Murray (Wichita State), Kaitlin Peterson (Central Florida), Debreasha Powe (Mississippi State) and Tianna Thompson (Georgia Tech). On Monday, Mississippi State transfer Denim Deshields also announced her pledge to the Rebels.
Evelyn Van Pelt
Evelyn has covered sports for over two decades, beginning her journalism career as a sports writer for a newspaper in Austin, Texas. She attended Texas A&M and majored in English. Evelyn's love for Ole Miss began when her daughter Katie attended the university on a volleyball scholarship. Evelyn created the Rebel Walk in 2013 and has served as publisher and managing editor since its inception. Email Evie at: Evie@TheRebelWalk.com
