"Every time we played South Carolina, she kicked our rear end." Kim Mulkey opens up on adding MiLaysia Fulwiley
For Kim Mulkey, adding a special talent in MiLaysia Fulwiley is the exciting part of the transfer portal. In a landscape that has altered significantly over the past five years, Mulkey has been excellent using the portal to add new talent every chance she gets to compete for a championship.
For her, this evaluation, and subsequent recruitment, came easy. Fulwiley and LSU had become familiar with one another as South Carolina and LSU continue to blossom as rivals under two hall of fame coaches. Fulwiley was a star for the Gamecocks the past two years, averaging 11.7 points in both her freshman and sophomore season.
Mulkey remembers hating to face her as the opposing head coach, so it only makes sense to bring her to LSU. She discussed the addition in an interview with Gordon McKernan that released over the weekend.
“Every time we played South Carolina, she in particular kicked our rear end,” Mulkey said. “She just was special every time she played LSU.”
Fulwiley posted a career high as a freshman in 2024, scoring 24 points in the SEC championship against the Tigers in just 17 minutes. That type of showing put Fulwiley’s talent on full display and it still sits on the mind of LSU’s head coach.
Now, she’s set to come to the Bayou and play alongside a pair of potential All-Americans in Flau’Jae Johnson and Mikaylah Williams on a star-studded LSU roster. Mulkey admits the recruitment was not long-winded and getting her on board was the easy part.
“It didn’t take much,” Mulkey said. “I spoke to her and her mother one time and she has not even come here on a visit. She has played against us enough to know our style of play. These young people do their homework. They look at rosters, they look at openings in the starting five, they look at openings in the rotation… and she pretty much I think had her mind made up.”
Top 10
- 1
ESPN direct to consumer
Bundle price revealed
- 2
Bill Belichick
Addresses Jordon Hudson drama
- 3New
Boogie Fland
Withdraws from NBA Draft, enters portal
- 4
Illinois extensions
Bielema, Underwood get new deals
- 5Hot
Livvy Dunne
SI Swimsuit Cover revealed
Get the On3 Top 10 to your inbox every morning
By clicking "Subscribe to Newsletter", I agree to On3's Privacy Notice, Terms, and use of my personal information described therein.
How will she fit? That’s what Mulkey’s mind is already thinking about as she tries to take a step back this offseason. LSU’s roster is nearly complete, but adding Fulwiley was certainly the headlining addition that projects to shake up the SEC title race in 2026.
“She’s an exciting player, she plays with a lot of flair,” Mulkey said. “She’s going to come to a program that has great players. And we’re going to be excited when we can get her on that floor.”
Mulkey had already commented on the Fulwiley signing in a press release, making it clear that her talent level is going to be a significant factor in the success of next year’s team.
“I’m excited to welcome MiLaysia as the newest member of our LSU Tiger family!” Coach Kim Mulkey said. “She’s bringing her incredible playmaking ability to Baton Rouge, standing out as one of the most electrifying talents in college basketball. Her ability to impact winning has been clear throughout her career, and we can’t wait to see her shine in purple and gold at the PMAC soon!”
