COLUMBIA — On paper, Saturday night’s clash between No. 3 South Carolina and No. 6 LSU represents a premier SEC showdown with NCAA Tournament seeding implications, complete with ESPN’s “College GameDay” providing national exposure for women’s basketball.
But beneath the surface of this heavyweight bout lies a more personal narrative: the Gamecocks facing former teammate MiLaysia Fulwiley for the first time since her controversial offseason transfer.
Staley Downplays the Fulwiley Angle
South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley was quick to dismiss any notion that her team would approach Fulwiley differently than any other LSU opponent.
“I mean, that’s the narrative that’s created the drum-up, the publicity for the game. For us, it’s not,” Staley insisted. “She was treated as Mikaylah Williams (on the scout). She was treated as Flau’jae Johnson, going down the line.”
“We’re not putting any extra, we’re not going to do anything to her that is outside the norm. We’re going to play the game,” she added.
Despite Staley’s matter-of-fact approach, this matchup has been circled on calendars since April 11—just five days after Connecticut ended South Carolina’s bid for consecutive national championships. That’s when The Greenville News first reported Fulwiley’s entry into the transfer portal.
A Transfer Shrouded in Speculation
True to her philosophy with departing players, Staley didn’t attempt to convince Fulwiley to remain with the program. The coach has consistently maintained that she wants her players to be happy, and if transferring would achieve that for Fulwiley, she supported the decision.
Speculation about Fulwiley’s reasons for leaving ran rampant, but if there was a specific issue she identified as the deciding factor, neither Staley nor Fulwiley has publicly disclosed it.
What was clear, however, was Fulwiley’s desire for a starting role—preferably at point guard. She alluded to this ambition multiple times during her two seasons in Columbia.
Staley has always praised her “generational talent” for her fearlessness, competitive drive, and scoring ability from anywhere on the court. However, the coach also acknowledged frustration when Fulwiley prioritized flash over fundamentals, with turnovers becoming as characteristic of her game as her acrobatic plays.
The Roster Reality That Pushed Fulwiley Out
Fulwiley didn’t start as a freshman—a common experience at South Carolina. Her path to a starting spot became even more congested when Te-Hina Paopao decided to return for the 2024-25 season, restoring the three starting guards from an undefeated national championship team.
Then came the addition of Ta’Niya Latson, the nation’s leading scorer who announced her transfer to USC just two days after the UConn loss. Latson’s arrival ensured that her best friend and backcourt partner Raven Johnson, a fifth-year point guard, would also return.
The writing was on the wall: three starting guard spots, multiple established veterans, and Fulwiley still on the outside looking in. Three days after Latson’s announcement, Fulwiley was gone.
Finding Her Place at LSU
Fulwiley declined to speak for this story, but she previously addressed her decision with LSU reporters.
“I think it was time for a change of scenery,” she said, according to The Daily Advertiser. “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 entered the portal with a “Do Not Contact” designation—typically indicating a player already knows her destination. She never visited LSU’s campus before committing on April 25.
At LSU, where the Tigers start guards Johnson, Williams, and usually Jada Richard, Fulwiley has started just one game. Still, her production has improved in several areas: she’s scoring more than she did at South Carolina (13.4 points compared to 11.7 in her sophomore season) while also increasing her shooting percentage, steals, assists, and minutes.
The turnover issue, however, persists. She’s tied with Williams for the team lead with 57 turnovers while trailing her by just four (90) for the team lead in assists.
LSU coach Kim Mulkey has been candid about the challenge.
“What I start with MiLaysia is turnovers,” Mulkey said after Fulwiley posted nine points and six turnovers in a loss at Texas. “She’s trying to make things happen. She’s trying to play two positions; one minute I got her at the point, then the next minute I have her on the wing.”
Mutual Appreciation Despite the Split
Staley’s admiration for Fulwiley’s contributions to South Carolina remains intact. The guard’s résumé includes SEC Tournament MVP, SEC Sixth Woman of the Year, two-time SEC regular-season and tournament champion, and a national championship. Most notably, Fulwiley’s heroics in the Sweet 16 were instrumental in the Gamecocks reaching last year’s national championship game.
But now she wears purple and gold, performing marginally better while still coming off the bench. Meanwhile, the Gamecocks sit atop the SEC despite repeatedly reshuffling their starting lineup due to injuries to guards Latson and Agot Makeer, as well as backup point guard Maddy McDaniel.
Both programs appear satisfied with where they stand. A rematch later this season isn’t out of the question.
For tonight, however, the hometown kid returns to face her hometown team in front of her new fans. And the Gamecocks? They’re ready for it. They want it.
The game may be billed as a battle for SEC supremacy, but the real test is how both sides handle the emotion of what could have been versus what is.
