South Carolina women’s basketball head coach outlined the type of player that MiLaysia Fulwiley is before the highly-touted transfer committed to play for LSU and Kim Mulkey.
Dawn Staley described what type of player MiLaysia Fulwiley is last November(Image: Getty Images)
Dawn Staley described just what type of player Kim Mulkey is getting in MiLaysia Fulwiley weeks before the bombshell news the star guard has committed to LSU.
Earlier this month, Fulwiley sent shockwaves across the college basketball landscape by opting to enter the transfer portal on the heels of South Carolina’s loss to UConn in the national championship game. Staley has kept busy in her absence, acquiring a top center following a visit to Columbia.
Despite momentarily being linked to Ole Miss, Fulwiley ultimately opted to take her talents to LSU. The fresh start will likely provide her with an opportunity to start – a luxury she wasn’t given at South Carolina, which led to several contentious moments between the 20-year-old and Staley last season.
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Over 77 games with the Gamecocks – only three of which were starts – Fulwiley has averaged 11.7 points , 2.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.6 steals on 43.2% shooting from the field and 30.2% from behind the arc. After posting a near-identical stat line her sophomore campaign, she was crowned the NCAA Sixth-Woman of the Year and named to the All-SEC Second Team.
While Fulwiley has shown flashes of brilliance throughout her collegiate career, she isn’t without her flaws. Following her dominant performance against Coppin State last November, Staley conceded that the sophomore’s flashy play style needs to be reeled in at times.
“It’s a battle with [MiLaysia],” Staley said of Fulwiley, who amassed 23 points, four rebounds and four assists versus the Eagles. “She understands. She really understands.
“She’s a dynamic guard. I thought for the most part, she was lean as lean can be [against Coppin State], playing great. And sometimes she can’t bite the bullet. But if she can play as lean as she played today, I can eat some of the stuff that she tries to do.
Kim Mulkey welcomed MiLaysia Fulwiley with open arms to LSU after she announced her transfer decision(Image: Getty Images)
“So I give [Fulwiley] a little leeway with it,” she continued. “But I also let her know during the game, ‘Your game was great’. Efficient, the game slowed down for you… and then she gets anxious to make a play… that really gets her in trouble.
“For us, we want her to go score. Don’t go try to make the spectacular pass.”
Mulkey, for one, can’t wait to have Fulwiley’s playmaking abilities at her disposal as the newest member of the Tigers. “I’m excited to welcome MiLaysia as the newest member of our LSU Tiger family!” the LSU head coach said in an official statement.
“She’s bringing her incredible playmaking ability to Baton Rouge, standing out as one of the most electrifying talents in college basketball. Her ability to impact winning has been clear throughout her career, and we can’t wait to see her shine in purple and gold at the PMAC soon!”