With the 2025-26 season fast approaching, LSU women’s basketball has already made headlines before tip-off. Now in year five under Kim Mulkey, the Tigers welcomed former South Carolina sensation MiLaysia Fulwiley. Explaining her decision to move, she had clarified she wanted to “go to a program where I could still compete for a national championship and still play for a great coach, and a coach that kind of knows what they’re doing.” And it seems that choice is already paying off, as the praises for Fulwiley under her new HC’s guidance have begun rolling in even before the season starts.

LSU Women’s basketball reported on X, “MiLaysia Fulwiley has been named to the Nancy Lieberman Award Preseason Watchlist!” The award, now in its 27th year, honors the nation’s top floor leaders, players who can handle the ball, make plays, and run the offense with the skill Nancy Lieberman was famous for. LSU fans have plenty to be excited about: Temeka Johnson remains the only Tiger to have won the award, and now Fulwiley is stepping into the spotlight.

Fulwiley, a 5-foot-10 guard who joined LSU in the offseason, has already made waves. In South Carolina, she came off the bench in all but three of 77 games, putting up 11.7 points, 2.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.6 steals per game. She was part of two straight national championship runs and even brought home one title in her freshman year. 

Already known for her creativity and offensive impact, Fulwiley came to LSU as the SEC Sixth Player of the Year, fresh off an SEC Championship and an NCAA Championship appearance. A year prior, she had even earned a spot on the 2024 SEC All-Freshman team and was the MVP of the SEC Tournament.

She’s already making her mark in Baton Rouge. In LSU’s first exhibition game against Mississippi College, Fulwiley dropped 17 points, added four assists, and grabbed four rebounds, proving she’s ready to take control.

Looking ahead, LSU faces Langston on October 30 in its second exhibition matchup before welcoming Houston Christian on November 4 at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center. Fulwiley’s ability to create plays and energize Mulkey’s team will be a key story to follow this season.

Even Kim Mulkey couldn’t help but gush over MiLaysia Fulwiley after LSU’s 148-46 exhibition rout of Mississippi College. Praising her talent, Mulkey told reporters, “God blessed her with speed and quickness,” and added, “unbelievable hand-eye coordination.” 

Kim Mulkey gears up LSU for a big 2025-26 season

LSU women’s basketball is all set for the new season. The Tigers kicked off their prep with a full practice at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center, welcoming eight new faces, five freshmen and three transfers, to join five key returners, including First-Team All-SEC standouts Flau’Jae Johnson and Mikaylah Williams.

Kim Mulkey was full of praise for her squad, telling reporters, “I like their disposition. They’re here to play basketball and get an education. They’re all excited, happy, and really focused on basketball, and I enjoy that.”

Mulkey brought in high-level transfers like MiLaysia Fulwiley from South Carolina, along with post players Kate Koval and Amiya Joyner, to complement returning stars and a loaded freshmen class. Fulwiley has made a strong impression with her creativity and skill, proving she can immediately impact the Tigers’ backcourt alongside Johnson and Williams.

The Tigers’ head coach has also been excited about her freshman class, which was ranked No. 1 nationally and includes Grace Knox, Bella Hines, Divine Bourrage, ZaKiyah Johnson, and Meghan Yarnevich.

“Let’s go to work,” Kim Mulkey said. “You know the talent is there. Those kids came in here with quite a reputation, but this is a different level. Let’s see how good we can become.” 

With a mix of reliable faces, talented transfers, and a top-tier freshman class, Kim Mulkey is preparing LSU for another deep run.