Kim Mulkey’s Fiery Message to South Carolina: “Become Acquainted with Losing to LSU” After Stealing MiLaysia Fulwiley

In an unprecedented and bold move that sent shockwaves through the women’s basketball landscape, LSU head coach Kim Mulkey delivered a message that rattled the South Carolina Gamecocks and their supporters. The announcement that LSU had successfully secured the commitment of MiLaysia Fulwiley, one of the nation’s most promising young talents, from the Gamecocks’ grasp was just the tip of the iceberg. What followed was a declaration from Mulkey herself—one that has the potential to reshape the rivalry between LSU and South Carolina in the years to come. The words she shared were nothing short of a declaration of war in the world of women’s college basketball: “Become accustomed to losing to LSU.”

MiLaysia Fulwiley, a top-ranked recruit in the class of 2025, has long been a player many schools across the nation hoped to land. With her blend of athleticism, vision, and scoring ability, Fulwiley was considered a franchise-level prospect, capable of turning any team she joined into an instant contender for national championships. The guard’s ability to create for herself and her teammates had made her a standout throughout her high school career, and she quickly became one of the most sought-after players in the nation.

For South Carolina, Fulwiley seemed like a natural fit. The Gamecocks had developed a reputation under head coach Dawn Staley as one of the premier women’s basketball programs in the country, known for their defensive prowess and ability to develop elite talent. South Carolina had been one of the early favorites in the recruitment process, and many thought that it was only a matter of time before Fulwiley would join the ranks of Gamecock greats like Aliyah Boston, Zia Cooke, and Destanni Henderson.

However, in a twist that few saw coming, it was Kim Mulkey and LSU who landed the highly-coveted Fulwiley. Mulkey’s success as a recruiter and her ability to convince top-tier players to join LSU’s program had already been well-documented. But to pry Fulwiley away from South Carolina—the reigning national champions at the time of the commitment—was a move that solidified Mulkey’s standing as one of the most powerful and dangerous forces in women’s college basketball.

Kim Mulkey has never been one to shy away from the spotlight or to hide her feelings. Known for her fiery, no-nonsense approach to coaching, Mulkey has built a legacy of success at every stop in her career. After winning three national championships at Baylor, she quickly turned LSU into a powerhouse program in just a few short seasons. The 2023 NCAA Championship was the crowning achievement of Mulkey’s early tenure with LSU, marking the Tigers as a force to be reckoned with in women’s basketball.

But it was the acquisition of Fulwiley, paired with Mulkey’s relentless pursuit of dominance in the Southeastern Conference (SEC), that brought her to make one of the most public and pointed remarks of her coaching career.

In a press conference following Fulwiley’s commitment to LSU, Mulkey made it clear that the rivalry between her program and South Carolina would be entering a new chapter. Her words resonated loudly within the walls of LSU’s Pete Maravich Assembly Center, but they would quickly echo throughout the world of women’s basketball.

“Become accustomed to losing to LSU,” Mulkey said with a steely glare. “Because we’re coming for you.”

The message was pointed, forceful, and unmistakably clear. It was a declaration of intent—a promise to the Gamecocks and their supporters that LSU would not only be competing with South Carolina at the highest level but would actively challenge their dominance. In a single statement, Mulkey sent a signal to both teams, players, and fans that the torch had not just been passed—it had been seized.

Mulkey’s words ignited a firestorm of reactions from both LSU and South Carolina supporters, as well as from neutral observers of women’s college basketball. On one hand, many Tigers fans saw it as an inspiring, bold assertion of LSU’s newfound supremacy in the SEC. Mulkey’s success in recruiting and developing players like Angel Reese, Flau’Jae Johnson, and now Fulwiley was seen as evidence of the program’s rise to the top.

For South Carolina fans, however, Mulkey’s message was a direct shot at the heart of the program’s legacy under Dawn Staley. The Gamecocks had long been the class of women’s college basketball, having won two national championships under Staley’s leadership and consistently dominating the SEC. But Mulkey’s statement suggested that LSU was now in a position to dethrone South Carolina from its perch at the top of the conference.

Dawn Staley, who had become one of the most respected and accomplished coaches in the sport, did not take Mulkey’s remarks lightly. Known for her composed demeanor, Staley chose not to engage in public back-and-forths but made it clear that she was ready for the challenge. During a media session, Staley responded diplomatically, saying, “We’ve been the best, and we will continue to be the best. LSU is a great program, but we’ve built a culture here that speaks for itself. Let’s see what happens on the court.”

Recruiting has always been a key driver in shaping rivalries in college sports, and nowhere is this more apparent than in the world of women’s college basketball. The recruitment of top-tier players like Fulwiley can swing the balance of power in a conference, and it is often these highly publicized decisions that fuel the fire of competition.

Mulkey’s ability to lure top recruits to Baton Rouge has turned LSU into a destination program for high school and transfer talent alike. The addition of Fulwiley is only the latest in a series of high-profile commitments to LSU, and Mulkey’s reputation as a recruiter is now beyond question. Her unapologetic approach to competing in the SEC has set the stage for what promises to be an intense battle with South Carolina for years to come.

Staley, meanwhile, has continued to recruit at an elite level, but the challenge from LSU has added another layer of intrigue to the recruitment wars. The pressure to land elite talent has only intensified as South Carolina, once the undisputed leader in the SEC, now finds itself in a fight for its position at the top of the conference.

The rivalry between LSU and South Carolina has been one of the defining storylines in women’s college basketball in recent years, and with Mulkey’s bold proclamation, it seems that the battle between the two programs is just beginning. Both teams will likely be contenders for national championships in the coming seasons, and the head-to-head matchups between LSU and South Carolina will take on even greater significance as the stakes continue to rise.

With Fulwiley now in Baton Rouge and other top recruits likely to follow in her footsteps, LSU has the pieces in place to challenge South Carolina’s dominance both in the SEC and on the national stage. Meanwhile, South Carolina will be looking to respond to Mulkey’s challenge, with Staley and her staff undoubtedly focusing on finding new ways to stay ahead in the arms race for elite talent.

As both teams prepare for a new era of heightened competition, one thing is certain: the rivalry between LSU and South Carolina has entered a new phase, one that promises to deliver thrilling games, intense drama, and plenty of fuel for one of the most exciting rivalries in college sports.

Kim Mulkey’s fiery message to South Carolina was more than just a comment about one recruit—it was a statement about the future of women’s college basketball. By successfully landing MiLaysia Fulwiley and sending such a forceful message, Mulkey has signaled that LSU is not just participating in the competition for championships; it is now fully prepared to lead it. The Gamecocks may have had the upper hand in recent years, but with LSU’s aggressive push for dominance, the landscape of women’s basketball in the SEC and beyond is bound to change.

As both LSU and South Carolina prepare for the next chapter in this rivalry, one thing is clear: it’s no longer a question of who will dominate—it’s a question of how long each side can hold on to its position as the standard-bearer of women’s college basketball. And with Mulkey leading the charge, LSU looks more than ready to embrace that challenge.