After playing for two seasons in South Carolina, MiLaysia Fulwiley entered the transfer portal this year to take her talents to LSU. Fulwiley was one of the biggest stars playing for the Gamecocks until the last season.
However, since the departure of Te-Hina Paopao and Bree Hall, the backcourt for South Carolina got crowded with Dawn Staley having options in Raven Johnson and Ta’Niya Latson within the rotation.
MiLaysia Fulwiley will now be in Kim Mulkey’s ranks and will face off against the Gamecocks on Feb. 14, 2026. Despite an unexpected departure, nobody at South Carolina has any issue with Fulwiley choosing to depart from the program. In fact, the Gamecocks are rooting for Fulwiley’s continued success as a player.
South Carolina’s sports director Matt Dowell expressed this sentiment in a recent episode of the ‘South Carolina Sideline‘ podcast. In fact, he reflected on his journey scouting MiLaysia Fulwiley, affirming how proud he is of her performing at the highest stage in college sports.
“I love MiLaysia. I’ve said it for the past couple months that I’ve covered her since she was in seventh grade. I really hope that her time at LSU is successful and that she does a great job there,” Dowell said. (49:00)
Dowell also affirmed that there is no ‘bad blood’ between the Gamecocks and Fulwiley for this transfer. In fact, everyone in South Carolina has love for their former player and is looking to face off against her. Dowell added:
“I know that it’s all love between everybody. I don’t think there’s any bad blood between the Gamecocks and Milaysia or anything like that, so I don’t think there’s going to be any weird tension. This game is on Valentine’s Day, so I hope it’s all love between everyone.”
Adding MiLaysia Fulwiley will certainly add much-needed experience LSU requires for its backcourt. Fulwiley is a national championship winner with South Carolina in an undefeated 38-0 season. Furthermore, in her sophomore season, she averaged 11.7 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 2.2 assists coming off the bench.
This move might certainly be one that can keep LSU in the national spotlight this season. Or even more, help them realize their potential towards challenging for the title as well.
MiLaysia Fulwiley’s transfer was not a surprise for Dawn Staley
Earlier this week, Dawn Staley appeared on the New York-based radio show “The Breakfast Club,” where she spoke about MiLaysia Fulwiley transferring to LSU.
When host Charlamagne tha God asked Staley about Fulwiley’s decision, the three-time national championship-winning coach revealed this was nothing out of the blue.
“Surprising? No. I think being in this space, you become (sic) to expect the unexpected, right? I still have much love for MiLaysia. Like, much love. Like, I want her happy.”
In @staley05’s book ‘Uncommon Favor’, in the chapter titled “Respect the Power of Habit,” she speaks on this chapter which reflects on MiLaysia Fulwiley . pic.twitter.com/6XxdAONzSB
— The Breakfast Club (@breakfastclubam) May 22, 2025
Staley also revealed how MiLaysia Fulwiley and her mother approached her in the postseason about getting into the transfer portal. She even mentions this incident in a chapter of her upcoming book, ‘Uncommon Favor’.
Nevertheless, the veteran coach seems happy with her sophomore’s decision and now continues to build her squad with her ‘New Birdies‘ and existing talents to start the 2025-26 season with a show.
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