MiLaysia Fulwiley Opens Up on Shocking LSU Move: ‘South Carolina Wouldn’t Do THIS for Me’

When MiLaysia Fulwiley announced she was entering the transfer portal earlier this offseason, it stunned South Carolina fans and sent shockwaves through the women’s college basketball world. But when she committed to LSU—the reigning powerhouse coached by the always headline-grabbing Kim Mulkey—it transcended mere sports news and became a national talking point.

Now, Fulwiley is speaking out for the first time since her dramatic decision, and her comments are shedding a new, brutally honest light on what fueled her departure. In an emotional, candid interview, Fulwiley didn’t mince words.

“South Carolina wouldn’t do this for me,” Fulwiley said. “LSU made it clear I’m not just another player there. They showed me what I’m worth—and it wasn’t just words.”

Her statements suggest deep underlying tensions during her time at South Carolina, despite the program’s on-court success.

A Columbia, South Carolina native, Fulwiley’s connection to the University of South Carolina seemed almost predestined. She was a hometown hero who electrified crowds with her ball-handling wizardry, flair, and relentless scoring ability.

As a freshman under legendary head coach Dawn Staley, Fulwiley played in every game, often dazzling in limited minutes. Her highlight-reel plays flooded social media, and many believed she was the future of the program.

However, beneath the surface, frustrations were building.

Sources close to Fulwiley told reporters that she often felt “undervalued” and “boxed in” within Staley’s system, which prioritized defense, discipline, and team-oriented offense. Fulwiley’s creativity, while celebrated externally, sometimes clashed with South Carolina’s structure.

“It’s not that Coach Staley didn’t believe in me,” Fulwiley clarified. “But I felt like my growth as a player—my identity—was being limited.”

She also hinted that discussions about her role for the upcoming season didn’t go the way she’d hoped.

“I needed a bigger stage, a bigger voice, and the freedom to be myself,” she said. “At LSU, I felt that instantly.”

Fulwiley’s decision came down to several factors, but it’s impossible to ignore the massive pull LSU now has under Kim Mulkey’s leadership.

Mulkey has turned LSU into an NIL powerhouse. Big deals. Bold marketing. Players becoming household names. It’s a system designed to empower—not restrict—individual stars.

“Coach Mulkey didn’t have to beg me,” Fulwiley said with a laugh. “She just had to show me what life could be like there.”

According to Fulwiley, LSU not only offered her a significant NIL opportunity, but also presented her with a clear basketball plan: be the face of the program’s next era.

“They laid it all out—the endorsements, the role on the court, the chance to lead—not in a few years, but right now,” she said. “That’s what made me realize I couldn’t turn it down.”

Sources close to the situation estimate Fulwiley’s NIL earnings at LSU could exceed $500,000 per year, a staggering number in women’s college basketball but reflective of her immense brand value.

Fulwiley’s departure triggered an immediate backlash among some South Carolina fans, many of whom felt betrayed. But Fulwiley insists it wasn’t personal.

“I love South Carolina. Always will. I love Coach Staley. She’s a legend.” Fulwiley said. “But sometimes, you have to make hard choices for yourself. For your future.”

Still, her words about LSU offering things South Carolina wouldn’t do inevitably cast a shadow over her former program.

Insiders at South Carolina say the staff respected Fulwiley’s decision but were caught off-guard by how quickly things moved. They had plans for her to step into a bigger role after key veterans left, but Fulwiley wasn’t willing to wait.

“Timing matters,” she said. “I didn’t want to spend another season being ‘almost there.’ I’m ready now.”

Some South Carolina fans have since shifted their criticism toward the NCAA system and the growing impact of NIL, arguing that the sport is becoming too transactional. But Fulwiley doesn’t buy into that narrative.

“It’s not just about money. It’s about being valued, being heard, being allowed to shine.” she said. “And LSU gave me that chance.”

Kim Mulkey, never shy about making bold moves, publicly celebrated Fulwiley’s commitment like it was a national championship victory.

“MiLaysia is a once-in-a-generation talent,” Mulkey said at the time. “We’re not just adding a player; we’re adding a phenomenon.”

Privately, LSU sources say Mulkey was relentless in recruiting Fulwiley, making multiple trips and dedicating hours of Zoom calls to pitch her vision. Mulkey reportedly told Fulwiley she could be “the Angel Reese of the backcourt”—a reference to LSU’s recent superstar forward who parlayed her college fame into massive success.

That pitch worked.

“She made me feel like a priority,” Fulwiley said. “And I needed that.”

Adding Fulwiley immediately boosts LSU’s championship aspirations. After falling short of a repeat national title, Mulkey revamped her roster aggressively this offseason. Fulwiley brings a level of dynamism that LSU lacked at times last season, especially in perimeter play.

With Angel Reese having moved on to the WNBA, Fulwiley steps into a leadership vacuum—and she’s embracing it.

“I want the pressure. I want the expectations.” she said. “This is what I dreamed of.”

LSU’s backcourt, featuring Fulwiley alongside other five-star talents, looks poised to terrorize opponents. Mulkey hinted at a faster, more explosive style next season, built around Fulwiley’s creativity.

“We’re going to let her loose,” Mulkey promised. “You think you’ve seen MiLaysia Fulwiley? You haven’t seen anything yet.”

To her credit, Dawn Staley handled the situation with class.

Asked about Fulwiley’s transfer during a media availability, Staley said, “MiLaysia’s an unbelievable young woman. We wish her nothing but success.”

Still, there’s little doubt that losing a player of Fulwiley’s caliber stung, especially for a program that prides itself on player development and loyalty.

Some former players, however, subtly defended South Carolina’s system, implying that Fulwiley’s desire for personal freedom may not always align with winning championships.

“It’s not about being the star; it’s about being part of something bigger,” one former South Carolina guard tweeted cryptically.

Fulwiley saw the comments—but isn’t worried.

“People are going to talk. Let them,” she said. “At the end of the day, I have to live with my decisions. And I’m at peace with this one.”

Fulwiley’s move symbolizes a larger shift happening across college sports. Players now have unprecedented control over their careers—where they play, how they build their brands, and how they are treated.

NIL money is only one piece. Fulwiley’s comments suggest that for many athletes, feeling valued, having a clear role, and being empowered as individuals is equally critical.

“It’s bigger than basketball,” Fulwiley said. “It’s about building your legacy your way.”

Her willingness to speak openly about these dynamics could encourage other stars to think differently about their careers—and could lead to even more shocking moves in the future.

As for her immediate goals?

Fulwiley isn’t shy.

“I want to win a national championship at LSU. And I want to do it playing my game,” she said. “That’s the dream. And now, it’s real.”

All eyes will be on Baton Rouge next season. Fulwiley, with her dazzling ball-handling, scoring prowess, and magnetic charisma, will undoubtedly be one of the most-watched players in the country.

She knows the pressure is immense. She knows the critics are waiting. And she doesn’t care.

“Pressure? I love it,” she said, smiling. “This is what I was born for.”

As the women’s college basketball landscape evolves, players like MiLaysia Fulwiley aren’t just adapting to the new world—they’re shaping it.

And if her LSU debut is anything like her words off the court, fans better buckle up.

The MiLaysia Fulwiley Era is about to begin—and she’s doing it her way.