Heading into the offseason, Kim Mulkey had a ton of work to do in order to get the LSU Women's Basketball team back to competing for National Championships. After the Lady Tigers fell in the Elite 8, Mulkey had to replace several key places especially as Aneesah Morrow went in the first round of the WNBA Draft.
While LSU returns Flau'Jae Johnson and Mikaylah Williams, the Lady Tigers appeared to need one more true star to compete in 2025-26. Kim Mulkey then what she does best going out and nabbing South Carolina star MiLaysia Fulwiley giving the Tigers a clear 3rd star on this roster. While Mulkey lands a star from one of the Tigers biggest rivals, the team adds a player that will make jaw dropping plays every game.
While promoting her new book, Dawn Staley appeared on The Breakfast Club where LSU's biggest addition was brought up.
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
When asked about her initial reaction to Fulwiley entering the transfer portal and if it surprised her, Dawn Staley said the following:
"Surprising? No. I think, being in this space, you come to expect the unexpected. Right? I still have much love for Malaysia. I just want her to be happy. She came in with her mom and said, "I think I’m going to get into the transfer portal.” And I was like, “Okay, well… you think or you know?” And she said, “I know.” I said, “Well, I only want you to be happy.” I really do. I only want our players to be happy, whether that’s with us or somewhere else. Just be happy."Dawn Staley
Dawn Staley went on to further dive into the advice she gave MiLaysia Fulwiley and she was overwhelmingly positive toward Fulwiley.
"Don’t look back, I know it’s probably going to be hard not to, leaving your hometown and all that. But I said, “Don’t look back. You’re always going to be a Gamecock. You’re always going to be welcome here.” I wish her the best. And when I say that people probably think, “Oh, sure,” but I do. I really do. Because I am who I am, what’s for us is for us, and what’s not is not. Let’s keep moving. I don’t stay in despair. I don’t stay in those spaces for very long."Dawn Staley
For the LSU Women's Basketball fans that aren't too familiar with Fulwiley and her ability, Dawn Staley gave her arguably the biggest compliment a player could get from their former coach.
"She's a generational talent. That will never leave. She does things on a basketball court that I've never seen a woman do."Dawn Staley
As MiLaysia Fulwiley transfers to LSU, the Lady Tigers land a piece that the Tigers have lacked for several seasons. Fulwiley is the elite playmaking Point Guard that Kim Mulkey has been searching for and her ability will only be amplified with Mikaylah Williams and Flau'Jae Johnson on the wings. Fulwiley is as exciting of an addition as you could land and hearing the way that Dawn Staley talks about her should only have LSU fans more excited.