MiLaysia Fulwiley opens up about leaving South Carolina WBB program for LSU
MiLaysia Fulwiley hasn’t said much publicly since leaving the South Carolina women’s basketball program earlier this year.
But the now-LSU guard talked about it Wednesday during the final day of the Southeastern Conference Media Days.
Fulwiley announced on April 17 she was entering the transfer portal and committed to the Tigers eight days later, without visiting the school. She’s pretty familiar with the program, having helped the Gamecocks beat LSU three times during her career at South Carolina.
“I think it was time for a change of scenery,” Fulwiley told reporters. “In college, we are blessed enough to have the opportunity to change if we want to. I just did what I wanted to do, which is change. I made sure I went to a school that has a great program, that has a great coach and also wins.”
Fulwiley will get a chance to face her team on Feb. 14 when the Tigers host the Gamecocks in a prime-time matchup on ABC.
Prior to Wednesday, Fulwiley talked only once publicly about the move with the other time coming last month on a Sports Illustrated podcast last month. She said it had been an adjustment leaving her home state where she was a beloved star.
Fulwiley was a hometown hero in Columbia, helping Keenan High School to four state championships and scoring more than 3,000 points in her career. She was the school’s first girls McDonald’s All-American and the nation’s No. 13 prospect in the Class of 2023 before playing two years for Dawn Staley.
“I think it was just leaving my family, kind of leaving my whole life and starting all the way over for a sport that I love which is basketball. That has been the hardest part. Just leaving the family, making a new family,” Fulwiley said.
Fulwiley, Mulkey talk big-time transfer decision
LSU coach Kim Mulkey knew it was tough for Fulwiley to leave her hometown and the program she grew up watching but jumped at the chance to try and get her to LSU when she entered the portal in April.
Mulkey and Fulwiley talked just once before she committed to the Tigers.
“When opportunity came, how could I convince her to come to LSU? It has to be extremely difficult for her to leave Columbia. That is where she is from. It is a leap of faith she took with us,” Mulkey said Wednesday on SEC Network.
Fulwiley helped South Carolina win a national title during her freshman season in 2023-2024 and provided a spark off the bench. She was named the SEC’s Sixth Woman of the Year this past season after finishing second in scoring for the national runner-up Gamecocks, averaging 11.8 points per game.
But Fulwiley did most of her work off the bench at South Carolina, starting in just three of 76 games. At LSU, she will be a starter alongside veterans Flau’jae Johnson and Mikaylah Williams. Johnson and Fulwiley have a history, playing against each other in high school in front of a sellout crowd during a 2022 showcase event.
Fulwiley said Johnson has welcomed her into the fold with the Tigers.
“We gelled a lot. She has talked me through a lot of things. She is very unselfish. She has taken me under her wing,” Fulwiley said.
More time at PG for Fulwiley at LSU?
Johnson had rave reviews for new teammate in the short time they have been together.
“It has been great. I could never say I was a fan of her before, but man, just seeing her in practice, some of the stuff she does, I’m like ‘How is she doing that?’” Johnson said. “Her instincts, she just makes us quicker, faster, and her mindset is great. She’s eager to learn, and that’s the best part about playing with her.”
Fulwiley’s role at LSU will be a little different, as she’ll be playing more at the point guard position than she did while at USC.
Mulkey said it definitely has been an adjustment for her star transfer.
“Having played that position, and coached some of the greatest at that position, I know how hard it is,” Mulkey said. “But if we can get her to a level of being comfortable there, then all the wonderful improvising that she does is going to still be there.”
Mulkey added of Fulwiley’s time at point guard: “She’s had bad days doing it, but she’s had great days. ... She’s been a joy to coach. I’ve never seen a kid smile so much. She’s just happy.”
This story was originally published October 15, 2025 at 4:45 PM.
