When MiLaysia Fulwiley first donned her LSU colors, fans expected fireworks — but few could have predicted just how explosive her first interview would be.
In a bold and emotional statement, Fulwiley, once a rising star with the South Carolina Gamecocks, made it abundantly clear where her heart lies now. Speaking with a calm yet piercing confidence, she proclaimed, “I’ve always admired Kim Mulkey and dreamed of being a part of this team.”
The words, simple yet devastating, hit like a thunderclap across the women’s college basketball landscape. In one sentence, Fulwiley managed to captivate Tiger Nation — and send a clear, unmistakable message back to her former teammates in Columbia.
A New Chapter — And A New Allegiance
Fulwiley’s move from South Carolina to LSU already had fans buzzing, but her first public comments poured gasoline on the fire. By openly praising LSU head coach Kim Mulkey — one of the most polarizing and successful figures in the sport — Fulwiley didn’t just commit to a new jersey. She made a declaration of loyalty that some interpreted as a veiled shot at her former program.
“I’ve always wanted to be here,” Fulwiley continued. “The culture, the passion, the fire that Coach Mulkey brings — it’s something I’ve admired from afar for a long time.”
To many, it felt like a subtle rebuke of her past. After all, Dawn Staley and the Gamecocks had given Fulwiley her first taste of collegiate stardom. They had embraced her, celebrated her electric style of play, and envisioned her as a cornerstone of their future.
Now, Fulwiley was writing a new story — and she wasn’t holding back.
Fallout in Columbia
Sources close to the South Carolina program hinted that Fulwiley’s comments stung deeply within the Gamecocks’ locker room.
Several of her former teammates reportedly reacted with a mix of hurt and disbelief, feeling blindsided by the veiled criticism implied in Fulwiley’s words.
Social media only fanned the flames.
Subtle unfollows. Cryptic posts. The quiet tension of friendships strained by loyalty and ambition.
“You never really know people until they leave,” one Gamecock player posted in a now-deleted Instagram story, sparking a frenzy of speculation among fans.
Others in the women’s basketball world tried to take a more diplomatic view, acknowledging that in an era of transfer portals and NIL deals, loyalty sometimes becomes a casualty of opportunity.
“It’s a business now,” one analyst said. “Players have to do what’s best for their careers — even if it means breaking a few hearts along the way.”
The Road Ahead
With Fulwiley now firmly entrenched in LSU’s plans, the focus turns to what she can deliver on the court.
There’s no doubt about her talent: dazzling handles, breakneck speed, and an aggressive scoring instinct that makes her a nightmare for opposing defenses.
But beyond the stats, there’s something else Fulwiley now carries into every game — a chip on her shoulder.
Critics. Doubters. Old friends turned rivals.
The weight of expectations.
And the echo of every headline proclaiming her as the player who abandoned one powerhouse to embrace another.
For better or worse, MiLaysia Fulwiley’s journey has a new fuel source: emotion.
And in college basketball — where passion often beats precision — that may just make her unstoppable.