With her eyes on building a dynamic back-court at LSU Tigers, coach Kim Mulkey wasted no time showering praise on guard MiLaysia Fulwiley following what she described as an “electrifying” display on the court.
Mulkey offered high-praise for Fulwiley’s physical tools. “God bless her with speed and quickness; bless her with unbelievable hand-eye coordination,” Mulkey said, reflecting on the guard’s ability to move and react in real time.
She added with a grin: “MiLaysia was COOKIN’ yesterday… MiLaysia’s going to give the people what they came to see!” The comment came after a stand-out performance in which Fulwiley turned heads and heaped energy into LSU’s offense.
What These Comments Tell Us
Mulkey’s remarks highlight several things:
- Confidence in Fulwiley’s “wow” factor: Phrases like “COOKIN’” and “give the people what they came to see” signal that Mulkey views Fulwiley as someone who can deliver highlight-reel moments and excite fans.
- Focus on raw athleticism and timing: By emphasising “speed,” “quickness,” and “unbelievable hand-eye coordination,” Mulkey is pointing to Fulwiley’s ability to create advantage instinctively — be it in transition, reading defenders, or making the high-volume plays.
- Expectations of impact: Mulkey isn’t just complimenting Fulwiley; she’s setting the stage for her to be a major contributor. The tone suggests Fulwiley will have both opportunity and trust to shine.
Why This Matters for LSU
For LSU, which has aspirations of contending at the highest levels in the SEC and nationally, adding or emerging a player like Fulwiley is a big deal. Mulkey’s public embrace of her shows:
- Commitment to integrating Fulwiley into the system, likely in a role where her strengths (explosiveness, ball-handling, playmaking) are harnessed.
- A message to opponents and recruits: When a coach of Mulkey’s stature speaks so vividly about a player’s tools and performance, it adds intrigue and signals “watch this space.”
- Motivation for Fulwiley herself: Having the head coach publicly express confidence can help a player find momentum, clarity of role, and belief.
The Bigger Picture
Fulwiley’s transfer to LSU (from South Carolina Gamecocks) has been one of the more talked-about moves in women’s college basketball. Mulkey’s comments serve as a reminder that her new program isn’t just acquiring a talented guard, but someone who can elevate the team’s identity and expectation.
While the quote above focuses on one recent performance, it’s part of a broader narrative: Fulwiley is at a turning point, and Mulkey believes she’s poised to flourish under the Tigers’ banner.
