MiLaysia Fulwiley’s Fresh Start: Why the Columbia Native Left South Carolina for LSU
COLUMBIA — When MiLaysia Fulwiley entered the transfer portal last April, it sent shockwaves through women’s college basketball. A hometown star leaving a national powerhouse fresh off a championship run is never routine — and Fulwiley’s decision proved to be one of the most talked-about moves of the offseason.
After two seasons with South Carolina women’s basketball, Fulwiley transferred to LSU, seeking what she later described as a necessary reset. The former Gamecock will face her old team for the first time on Feb. 14 (8:30 p.m. ET, ABC) when No. 6 LSU hosts No. 3 South Carolina at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center in Baton Rouge.
Fulwiley’s production never dipped during her time in Columbia. As a freshman, she averaged 11.8 points per game off the bench for South Carolina’s 2024 national championship team. As a sophomore, she followed that up with 11.7 points per game for the 2025 national runner-up squad. Now at LSU, she’s taken another step forward, averaging 13.4 points per game off the bench for the Tigers, who sit at 22-3 overall and 8-3 in SEC play.
Still, despite the success, Fulwiley felt a change was necessary.
The Timeline of Fulwiley’s Exit
The sequence of events unfolded quickly after South Carolina’s season-ending loss to UConn in the national championship game on April 6.
Five days later, reports surfaced that Fulwiley planned to enter the transfer portal. On April 14, she officially entered with a “do not contact” designation. Three days after that, she posted on Instagram confirming her decision and thanking Dawn Staley and the South Carolina program. By April 25, Fulwiley announced her commitment to LSU.
“A New Environment, a New Fresh Start”
Fulwiley first publicly explained her decision during an appearance on Sports Illustrated’s digital show Around the W, published Sept. 1.
“South Carolina is a great program, I’m from there, I’ve been there my whole life,” Fulwiley said. “I kind of just felt like I needed a new environment, a new fresh start. Everyone deserves a new fresh start.”
Growing up just 15 minutes from campus, Fulwiley acknowledged that college offered a rare opportunity to step outside what was familiar.
“In the (WNBA) you can’t just say, ‘Oh, I want to leave.’ I think it was more of me just wanting a different environment and seeing my goals and seeing where I want to be and how those things with align in my career and felt like that would be the best move.”
Cutting Out Distractions, Locking In on Basketball
In a Nov. 4 interview with The Advocate, Fulwiley expanded on her reasoning, pointing to focus and role clarity as major factors — including the opportunity to play point guard and remove outside noise.
“When I left there I just cut out all the distractions, and now it’s just strictly basketball, strictly focused on my goals and where I want to be in life,” Fulwiley said.
She emphasized that the move made sense to those closest to her.
“My real close people and people that’s really in my circle and know me in real life, they understand why I made that move, and they never questioned it because they already knew,” Fulwiley said. “They see me every day. They knew that I needed to leave.”
Kim Mulkey on the Quick Commitment
LSU head coach Kim Mulkey revealed just how quickly Fulwiley’s recruitment came together. Speaking on the Gordon McKernan podcast on May 2, Mulkey said Fulwiley committed without ever visiting campus.
“It didn’t take much,” Mulkey said. “I spoke to her and her mother one time. One time. She has not even come here on a visit. She’s played against us enough to know our style of play … she pretty much I think had her mind made up.”
Dawn Staley’s Perspective: “I Want Her Happy”
South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley addressed Fulwiley’s departure publicly for the first time on The Breakfast Club on May 22, offering a candid but supportive response.
“Surprising? No,” Staley said. “I think being in this space, you come to expect the unexpected. I still have much love for MiLaysia, much love. I want her happy.”
Staley recalled the conversation that ultimately led to Fulwiley entering the portal.
Fulwiley came into her office with her mother and said, “I think I’m going to get into the transfer portal,” to which Staley replied, “You think or you know?”
When Fulwiley confirmed she was certain, Staley said her reaction was simple: she wanted what was best for her player.
As Fulwiley prepares to face South Carolina for the first time since her departure, the matchup carries layers beyond the box score — a reunion shaped by growth, self-awareness, and a decision rooted not in dissatisfaction, but in the pursuit of happiness and clarity.
