For the upcoming 2025-2026 season, LSU’s Kim Mulkey is both the hardest-hit by the transfer portal, as well as its biggest gainer. Earlier in the off-season, she lost six players, including Sa’Myah Smith and Aalyah Del Rosario. However, she also gained one of the biggest names in the transfer portal, MiLaysia Fulwiley from South Carolina.
Women’s sports analyst Quita Loves Sports talked about LSU losing several big players but also why the Tigers are still very dangerous, especially with Fulwiley, who will be coming into Baton Rouge with some championship experience.
“I don’t think they really move the needle like that besides Sa’Myah Smith, like big loss, big loss for LSU. Big big big loss,” Quita said regarding the transfer portal losses. (1:23)
“Now, who did LSU gain in the transfer portal? Well, they gained three players. They gained MiLaysia Fulwiley… She’s fantastic. I mean, dog, she’s going to start for this team. And can you imagine MiLaysia and Flau’jae (Johnson) running the court together? I think I think that’s going to be really really really fun basketball for LSU on the guard perspective,” she added.
Quita also noted that the additions of Kate Koval (Notre Dame) and Amiya Joyner (East Carolina) were big, especially after all those transfer portal losses. Koval will be a post presence for the Tigers, while Joyner promises to be a spark off the bench.
She also noted that the Tigers are coming into the season with a rather easy schedule, with Duke being possibly their toughest matchup of the season so far on paper.
MiLaysia Fulwiley Still Fresh Off 3×3 Nation’s League Title Win
As for MiLaysia Fulwiley herself, she will be coming to Baton Rouge as a 3×3 Nation’s League champion after a successful stint with USA’s basketball team. The tournament was a qualifier for the 3×3 World Championships in China, with the Americans dominating throughout most of the tournament.
Fulwiley played in five of the six stops and reunited with her now-former South Carolina teammate, Joyce Edwards, whom she played two seasons with for the Gamecocks. The tournament itself was held in Chile, with USA Basketball winning four of the six stops to advance to the world championships.
In her time with the team, Fulwiley played a total of 14 games and averaged 4.1 points per game for the regional 3×3 tournament. She is now back in the US and ready to play for her new team.
Fulwiley came off the bench for most of her time with the Gamecocks, averaging 11.7 points, 2.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.6 steals across 77 games.
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