Dawn Staley is the first to understand that with the advent of the transfer portal and NIL deals, we live in a new age of college athletics. That’s why she never took it personally when MiLaysia Fulwiley decided to jump ship from South Carolina to their hated rivals, Kim Mulkey’s LSU Tigers, last year.
She was open about her opinion on the move at the time, speaking about it during an appearance on New York-based morning radio show “The Breakfast Club” in May 2025. It was clear that she didn’t hold anything against Fulwiley.
“I told her, ‘Don’t look back. You’re always going to be a Gamecock. You’re always going to be welcomed here,’” Staley said. “I wish her the best. And when I say that… I do. I really do.”
“I think she’s going to have a promising career. I do think she’s a generational talent. That will never leave. She does things on the basketball court that I’ve never seen a woman do. And she’ll continue to do that, and we’ll continue to be happy for her, except for the one or two times we have to play them,” Staley added.
However, it’s difficult to analyze if the move paid off for Fulwiley. If she left Columbia expecting more court time in Baton Rouge, she must be sorely disappointed. So far this season, with a week of regular season to go, Fulwiley has played in 28 games and started in one. In the process, she has averaged 13.9 points per game, with 3.9 rebounds and 3.5 assists. She’s playing an average of 21.9 minutes per game.
That’s not that different from the 39 games, with no starts, and an average of 11.7 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game from last season with South Carolina. She played 18.9 minutes per game that year.
MiLaysia Fulwiley Shows Potential In Win Over Ole Miss
However, at times, Fulwiley has shown her true potential, as she did in the comeback 78-70 win over Ole Miss last week when she led the Tigers in scoring.
Kim Mulkey herself admitted as much in the post-game press conference.
“God blessed this child with speed, and I wouldn’t want to be on the floor with her, because when she takes off, you better put it in high gear, ‘cause she’ll find you,” Mulkey said after the win. “And a lot of times, honestly, she looks to pass too much. She needs to get to the rim, and finish and draw fouls.”
That day she scored 26 points, with seven rebounds and two assists, possibly the best game of her career so far. Can she show that form in the post-season?
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