State Adds A10 Defensive Player Of The Year Aryss Macktoon
April 23, 2026 | Women's Basketball
STARKVILLE – Mississippi State added a lockdown defender for the 2026-27 on Thursday in the form of A10 Defensive Player of the Year Aryss Macktoon.
Macktoon, a 5-11 guard and rising redshirt junior, started all 33 games at La Salle last season and was also named to the A10 All-Conference Second Team. In 32.7 minutes per game, she averaged 15.0 points, 7.6 rebounds, 3.2 steals and 2.0 assists.
The Baltimore, Maryland, native collected 105 total steals throughout the season, ranking 12th in the nation. It also set the single season program record at La Salle. She earned three or more steals in 20 games, including seven games with five or more steals. She collected a season-high eight steals on November 11 against VCU.
Macktoon excelled on the offensive side of the ball as well. She scored double figures in all but six games for the Explorers and put up 20 or more in seven contests. Her season high in scoring came on February 25, when she picked up 28 points, alongside 10 rebounds, four assists and four steals. It was the first of five consecutive games where she recorded a double-double, her longest streak of the season.
Macktoon is the fourth transfer portal addition for the Bulldogs, as she joins Reese Beaty, Cali Smallwood and Macie Phifer as those who have entered the portal to Starkville. In addition to those three, the Bulldogs return their two top scorers from last season in the form of SEC All-Defensive and All-Freshman team member Madison Francis and Favour Nwaedozi, who finished as one of the four players in the SEC to average a double-double last season.
State also returns midseason addition Melissa Guillet and will see two incoming freshmen: Alabama's Gatorade Girl's Player of the Year, Lani Smallwood, and Tennessee's Miss Basketball, Andrea Flores.
Visit HailState.com for the latest news and information on women's basketball. Fans can also follow the program on social media by searching 'HailStateWBK' on X, Facebook and Instagram.
Macktoon, a 5-11 guard and rising redshirt junior, started all 33 games at La Salle last season and was also named to the A10 All-Conference Second Team. In 32.7 minutes per game, she averaged 15.0 points, 7.6 rebounds, 3.2 steals and 2.0 assists.
The Baltimore, Maryland, native collected 105 total steals throughout the season, ranking 12th in the nation. It also set the single season program record at La Salle. She earned three or more steals in 20 games, including seven games with five or more steals. She collected a season-high eight steals on November 11 against VCU.
Macktoon excelled on the offensive side of the ball as well. She scored double figures in all but six games for the Explorers and put up 20 or more in seven contests. Her season high in scoring came on February 25, when she picked up 28 points, alongside 10 rebounds, four assists and four steals. It was the first of five consecutive games where she recorded a double-double, her longest streak of the season.
Macktoon is the fourth transfer portal addition for the Bulldogs, as she joins Reese Beaty, Cali Smallwood and Macie Phifer as those who have entered the portal to Starkville. In addition to those three, the Bulldogs return their two top scorers from last season in the form of SEC All-Defensive and All-Freshman team member Madison Francis and Favour Nwaedozi, who finished as one of the four players in the SEC to average a double-double last season.
State also returns midseason addition Melissa Guillet and will see two incoming freshmen: Alabama's Gatorade Girl's Player of the Year, Lani Smallwood, and Tennessee's Miss Basketball, Andrea Flores.
Visit HailState.com for the latest news and information on women's basketball. Fans can also follow the program on social media by searching 'HailStateWBK' on X, Facebook and Instagram.
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