Kim Mulkey’s LSU Tigers lost to the Duke Blue Devils in the Sweet 16 matchup in March. Their elimination from the NCAA Tournament was shocking, as they were considered one of the frontrunners for the national title.
Days after losing to Duke, Mulkey told WAFB-TV’s Jacques Doucet that most of her players were set to return next season. At the time, it was only Divine Bourrage who planned on entering the transfer portal.
Mulkey stated how grateful she was for the confidence shown by her players. Yesterday, Bella Hines took to Instagram to announce that she was entering the transfer portal. The announcement sent shockwaves across the LSU fanbase.
To make matters worse, B/R W Sports posted a clip of Hines from March. In the clip, she told Mulkey that she wouldn’t enter the transfer portal. Fans are now calling her out for the same.
“That was messy of her,” a fan wrote.
“Yeah she’s wrong for that. She was in a good place. Such a phenomenal player. Hope this doesn’t come back and bite her. She was playing as a freshman,” a fan wrote.
“That video showed that Kim knew what she had and still gave that girl minimal playing time. She probably would have stayed but some school offered her more playing time and more money,” a fan wrote.
“She asked on ‘live’ because she knew Bella had one foot out the door.. it was an awkward video,” a fan wrote.
“She would do wonders with Dawn because she can score and shoot which they need and she plays with energy,” a fan wrote.
“Loyalty?? Coaches leave all the time. Kim left Baylor for more money. Go be great, Bella!!” a fan wrote.
Hines played 33 games this season for the Tigers, averaging 13 minutes per game. She averaged 4.2 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 1.1 assists while shooting nearly 45% from the field. Some fans believe that another program is offering her more time on the floor and better monetary benefits, which prompted her to leave.
Kim Mulkey was Confident About Her Roster’s Return
During her conversation with WAFB-TV’s Jacques Doucet earlier this month, Mulkey said that Divine Bourrage was the only player leaving LSU. Milaysia Fulwiley, Mikaylah Williams, Jada Richard, Kate Koval, Grace Knox, ZaKiyah Johnson, Bella Hines, and Meghan Yarnevich were expected to return.
The Tigers’ head coach said that she was “blessed” to have these players for another season.
“You cannot understand the value of having all of them come back,” she said. “That’s how you build it. That’s how you get over that hump of an Elite Eight.”
She boasted about the strength these players would’ve provided next season. Now she’s losing two players to the transfer portal.
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