Essence Cody Announced Pregnancy, Will Miss 2026-27 Season
The Texas A&M center plans to remain with the team as she prepares for the birth of her first child.
Updated on Oct. 12, 2026 in Basketball
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Texas A&M basketball center Essence Cody has announced she will sit out the 2026-27 season due to pregnancy. She is expected to give birth in January 2027.
Why it matters
Cody will step away from active play to focus on her health and the arrival of her child, though she intends to support the program from the sidelines. Her planned return for the 2027-28 season ensures she remains a long-term part of head coach Joni Taylor's roster.
Cody stands 6 feet 4 inches tall and averaged 13.2 points and 6.0 rebounds per game during her three seasons with the Alabama Crimson Tide. Her absence arrives as the Aggies prepare to integrate six newcomers onto the roster for the upcoming campaign.
The players
Essence Cody
She is a 6-foot-4 center for the Texas A&M women's basketball team who previously played for the Alabama Crimson Tide.
Joni Taylor
She serves as the head coach of the Texas A&M women's basketball team.
The details
Essence Cody will remain with the Texas A&M team in College Station to provide leadership from the bench throughout the season. She plans to rejoin the active lineup at Reed Arena for the 2027-28 season after focusing on her recovery and the birth of her child.
Timeline
The Texas A&M basketball season begins on November 2, 2026.
Essence Cody is expected to give birth in January 2027.
Cody will miss the entirety of the 2026-27 season.
She plans to return to basketball for the 2027-28 season.
Season Trajectory
This move impacts the Aggies' frontcourt depth and rotation strategy for the 2026-27 campaign. By maintaining a leadership role on the sidelines, Cody ensures continuity for the program while preparing for her return to the rotation in the 2027-28 season.
With Cody sidelined, the Aggies must rely on their six newcomers to fill the void in the paint at Reed Arena. Her transition to a sideline leadership role will alter the team's internal hierarchy as they begin their campaign on November 2, 2026.
The takeaway
Student-athletes increasingly have the support systems necessary to balance professional commitments and personal milestones. Cody's decision to stay with the team highlights how players can provide mentorship and leadership to their teammates even when they are not physically on the court.
Further reading
For more updates on the Aggies, visit the Basketball section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Chron.
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