Kayla McPherson, a former standout player and student assistant coach at the University of North Carolina, joins the Western Carolina women's basketball coaching staff. McPherson comes to Cullowhee after serving as a student assistant for the North Carolina staff in 2025-26 after her playing career was cut short.Â
"We are thrilled to welcome Kayla McPherson to our women's basketball staff as an assistant coach," said Tsipis, who enters his third season leading the Catamount women's basketball program. "Kayla stood out in the interview process with her passion for the game, ability to connect with the players, and teaching skills. She was a tremendous player at North Carolina, who learned through injury how to impact the team from the sidelines. Â Every person I spoke to in the process talked about her ability to impact her teammates. Â As a program, we look forward to Kayla's impact on and off the court."
A four-year member of the Tar Heels roster, McPherson saw action in 20 games over the course of her career, averaging 6.0 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game. The 5-8 guard out of Hull, Ga., was a highly touted recruit out of the high school ranks, earning both McDonald's and Jordan Brand All-American honors. She averaged 36.3 points per game in 2019-20, and scored 64 points in a game as a sophomore.
After redshirting in 2021-22, McPherson made her collegiate debut in January 2023, scoring eight points in a win at Clemson and 14 points in her first home game, a win over Virginia. She recorded a career-high 22 points in a win over Boston College in Chapel Hill.
McPherson's experience outside of UNC includes serving as an ambassador for Dribble for Victory over Cancer in August 2022. She has also been a Youth Basketball Camp Counselor for several organizations, including Gigi's Playhouse (Aug. 2022), Check Me Out Basketball Showcase (Aug. 2020), and the UNC Women's Basketball Camp (Summer 2021-2026).
She received her Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies in May 2025 before earning her Master of Applied Professional Studies in May 2026. Â
The second of five siblings, McPherson is the daughter of two former Western Kentucky basketball players, Katashia Witcher and Nashon McPherson. She has three sisters and one brother, the oldest being Jamilya, Landon, Margo, and Nora.
