South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley recently opened up about MiLaysia Fulwiley’s surprising transfer to LSU, speaking candidly during an appearance on The Breakfast Club radio show while promoting her memoir.
MiLaysia Fulwiley, a Columbia, South Carolina native, stunned the women’s college basketball community on April 25 when she announced she would be leaving her hometown team, the South Carolina Gamecocks, for their heated SEC rival — LSU.
During the interview, host Lenard “Charlamagne Tha God” McKelvey asked Staley whether she was shocked by Fulwiley’s move.
“Surprising? No,” Staley said. “I think, being in the space, you become to expect the unexpected, right? I still have much love for MiLaysia. Like, much love. I want her happy.”
Staley went on to explain how Fulwiley broke the news to her. She recalled Fulwiley sitting down with her mother and expressing her intent to enter the transfer portal. When Staley asked whether she was thinking about transferring or was sure of her decision, Fulwiley responded that she was certain.
“I only want her (to be) happy,” Staley replied.
The South Carolina coach emphasized that she supports her players in making choices that are best for them, noting the courage it takes to speak up.
“You know how hard it was for her to do that? Really hard.”
Despite being one of the most dynamic talents in the nation over her two seasons with the Gamecocks, Fulwiley never cracked Staley’s starting lineup. Averaging just 19 minutes per game, she played behind seven teammates, including three veteran guards.
𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗹𝗼𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲:
𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘀 𝗮𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗸𝘀. 𝗜 𝗺𝗮𝘆 𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻 𝗮 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗯𝘂𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺, 𝗮𝘁 𝗻𝗼 𝗲𝘅𝘁𝗿𝗮 𝗰𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂.
Although there was potential for a larger role as a junior, South Carolina’s offseason moves changed the picture. The addition of Ta’Niya Latson, the nation’s leading scorer and top transfer portal player from Florida State, along with the return of senior guard Raven Johnson, meant Fulwiley’s bench role would likely remain unchanged.
Now, the rising junior heads to LSU, where coach Kim Mulkey will have the chance to integrate her into a loaded backcourt featuring Flau’jae Johnson and Mikaylah Williams.
“I thought MiLaysia was getting better,” Staley said. “I saw a whole lot of growth, on and off the court. LSU’s gonna get the best of her now. We went through the hard part of just smoothing some rough edges and getting her to create good habits. I do think habits are the thing that allows you to elevate.”
“So I think what we’ve given her, and what she’s given us, will allow her to have much better days, much more consistent days than she had with us at her next stop.”
LSU, meanwhile, is undergoing significant roster turnover. Eight players have exited the program due to graduation or transfer, with eight newcomers now joining. Among them, Fulwiley’s arrival stands out as the most buzzworthy addition, adding extra fire to the ever-growing LSU–South Carolina rivalry.
“I do think she’s a generational talent,” Staley said. “That will never leave. She does things on a basketball court that I’ve never seen a woman do, and she’ll continue to do that, and we’ll continue to be happy for her, except the one or two times that we have to play them.”
MiLaysia Fulwiley’s move not only reshapes both rosters but also fuels one of college basketball’s fiercest rivalries, with Dawn Staley’s gracious remarks underscoring the mutual respect between player and coach — even on opposing sidelines.
