It appears there’s been a flurry of misinformation and speculation swirling around women’s college basketball circles about MiLaysia Fulwiley—and I want to sort it all out clearly and thoroughly. Here’s what truly happened, what’s indeed untrue, and why it matters:
- Fulwiley entered the NCAA Transfer Portal, not the WNBA draft
- On April 11, 2025, South Carolina guard MiLaysia Fulwiley, after two impactful seasons with the Gamecocks, officially entered the NCAA transfer portal .
- This move reflected her desire for a larger role—especially after returning guard Raven Johnson and new transfer Ta’Niya Latson joined the program .
- Her destination: LSU
- A couple weeks later, she committed to LSU, announcing “Geaux Tigers 💜💛” via Instagram .
- LSU’s high-profile coach Kim Mulkey publicly welcomed her, highlighting her “playmaking ability” .
- No WNBA draft involvement
- There is no credible report of Fulwiley ever declaring or withdrawing from the 2025 WNBA Draft, nor any mention of her resigning with NCAA agents.
- The narrative that she withdrew from a WNBA draft and renounced agent connections is false and seems to have been conflated with other players’ decisions (like Olivia Miles choosing college eligibility over the draft) .
- Transfer cross-talk and rumors
Outlets like DSVSports ran conflicting takes—one reporting her move to LSU, another erroneously claiming she reversed course and recommitted to South Carolina . - Fan speculation
Social media buzz, especially on X (formerly Twitter) and Reddit, frequently suggested she was disgruntled, agent-connected, or WNBA-bound—but none of this was ever confirmed . - Freshman year highlights: SEC Tournament MVP, key contributor to USC’s 2024 NCAA Championship .
- Sophomore stats: Averaged 11.7 PPG in ~19 minutes per game, earning SEC Sixth Woman of the Year and All-SEC Second Team honors .
- Reasons for transfer: Limited starting opportunities in a talent-heavy rotation, despite her dynamic play .
- Her program included a deep guard rotation, and while Fulwiley was impactful off the bench, playing time remained capped .
- Staley’s “family” narrative around players added emotional weight when Fulwiley decided to move on .
- Known for aggressive recruiting via the transfer portal, Mulkey’s LSU quickly signed Fulwiley post-announcement, emphasizing her “incredible playmaking ability” .
| False |
- Player autonomy in the NIL era: With rising name/image/licensing deals (her Curry Brand partnership made headlines in 2024) , players are empowered to chase fit, exposure, and development—not just instant pro status.
- College basketball’s shifting dynamics: A new era of player movement means college careers are more fluid than ever. What used to be “one-and-done” now might be “one-and-transfer” .
- Coach-player relationships evolve: Even in top-tier programs like Staley’s, the balance between playing time and development can drive decisions—even as coaches express emotional disappointment .
- Fulwiley’s role and usage at LSU
Will she step into a starting guard role alongside Flau’jae Johnson and Mikaylah Williams? CBS and LSU statements suggest she’s expected to be a featured player . - South Carolina’s depth chart adjustments
Can Dawn Staley’s team absorb her departure and still contend with new talent (including Ta’Niya Latson)? Early recruiting moves could provide answers . - Future WNBA eligibility
Fulwiley will need to finish eligibility and satisfy the WNBA’s age citations (must be four years post HS or turn 22) before entering the draft—meaning not in 2025, possibly 2027 or beyond .
- 🏀 Truth: Fulwiley transferred from South Carolina to LSU—not to the WNBA.
- 🚫 False: On multiple fronts—declaration of draft, agent ties, flip-flop back to SC.
- 🔍 Takeaway: It’s a prime example of the evolving, fluid college basketball landscape and how narratives can veer into rumor without basis in fact.
If you’d like, I can expand on any of these: her NIL deals, LSU’s roster fit, the legal draft timeline, fan reactions in detail, or even prep a full feature piece. Just let me know!
