South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley addressed the media at practice ahead of Saturday’s primetime clash with LSU, offering measured and mature perspectives on facing former star guard MiLaysia Fulwiley.
No Personal Vendettas
When asked about the emotional aspect of coaching against former players, Staley made clear she won’t let personal history influence her competitive approach.
“They’re just a part of the personnel of the other team now… I don’t wanna win because it’s MiLaysia Fulwiley,” Staley stated.
The comment reflects Staley’s professional approach to what could easily become an emotionally charged situation. Rather than framing Saturday’s game as a referendum on Fulwiley’s decision to transfer, Staley emphasized that her focus remains on defeating LSU as a team—not proving a point about any individual player who left the program.
This perspective aligns with Staley’s May 2024 comments when Fulwiley first transferred, when she expressed simply wanting the dynamic guard to be happy. It also demonstrates the maturity that has defined Staley’s handling of the transfer, avoiding the public drama that could have accompanied such a high-profile departure.
Recognizing Fulwiley’s Development
Despite the competitive stakes, Staley didn’t shy away from acknowledging visible improvements in Fulwiley’s game at LSU. When discussing how Fulwiley’s play has evolved under Kim Mulkey, Staley offered specific observations.
“I do think she’s put a little more heat on the ball-handler, just looking like a junior,” Staley noted.
The comment suggests Fulwiley has added defensive intensity and maturity to her game—natural progressions for a player entering her junior season. Staley’s willingness to publicly recognize these improvements demonstrates her continued investment in Fulwiley’s development, even as an opponent.
The phrase “looking like a junior” implies Fulwiley is showing the expected growth and refinement that comes with experience, suggesting her transfer hasn’t derailed her development trajectory.
Rooting for Her Success
Perhaps most tellingly, Staley articulated a genuine desire for Fulwiley’s continued improvement, placing it in the broader context of women’s basketball’s growth.
“If MiLaysia is improving that’s great for MiLaysia, that’s what I want… when they improve the overall game improves,” Staley said.
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This statement encapsulates Staley’s philosophy that transcends South Carolina’s program. Her commitment to elevating women’s basketball as a whole means celebrating player development regardless of jersey color. When elite players like Fulwiley improve, it raises the sport’s profile and competitive level—outcomes Staley has consistently championed throughout her career.
The Bigger Picture
Staley’s comments reveal a coach secure enough in her program’s success to wish former players well without feeling threatened by their achievements elsewhere. There’s no bitterness, no veiled criticism, no attempt to diminish Fulwiley’s decision or development.
Instead, Staley’s approach models the kind of grace that has made her one of women’s basketball’s most respected figures. She’s competing fiercely to beat LSU while simultaneously hoping Fulwiley thrives individually—two positions that might seem contradictory but reflect the complexity of coaching relationships that extend beyond wins and losses.
As the Gamecocks prepare for their Valentine’s Day showdown in Baton Rouge, Staley’s measured response to the Fulwiley storyline demonstrates why she remains one of the sport’s most admired leaders—capable of separating personal relationships from competitive objectives while maintaining genuine care for players who’ve moved on.
