Kim Mulkey Downplays Pressure on Former South Carolina Star MiLaysia Fulwiley Ahead of LSU Matchup

Fulwiley transferred to LSU last April after two seasons with the Gamecocks.

Feb. 9, 2026 at 5:07pm

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South Carolina women's basketball is preparing to face former star guard MiLaysia Fulwiley, who transferred to LSU last April. LSU coach Kim Mulkey was asked about managing Fulwiley's emotions this week, including the pressure that might come with facing her former team. Mulkey said she doesn't think there will be any extra pressure on Fulwiley, noting that Fulwiley has never said anything negative about South Carolina and just wanted an opportunity to play point guard, which she didn't get as much of with the Gamecocks.

Why it matters

This matchup between South Carolina and LSU features a high-profile transfer in Fulwiley, who was a key player for the Gamecocks' national championship and runner-up teams. The game will be an emotional one for Fulwiley, who is now a valuable part of the LSU roster, but Mulkey doesn't expect it to be a distraction.

The details

Fulwiley played LSU three times while at South Carolina, including a 24-point performance in the SEC Tournament championship game as a freshman. She averaged 11.8 points per game as a freshman and 11.7 as a sophomore for the Gamecocks before deciding to transfer to LSU, where she is now averaging 13.4 points per game off the bench. Mulkey said Fulwiley has never expressed any bitterness towards South Carolina and just wanted a chance to play more point guard, which she didn't get as much of with the Gamecocks.

  • South Carolina and LSU will play on February 14, 2026 (8:30 p.m. ET, ABC).
  • Fulwiley transferred to LSU in April 2025 after two seasons with South Carolina.

The players

MiLaysia Fulwiley

A former star guard for the South Carolina Gamecocks who transferred to LSU last April.

Kim Mulkey

The head coach of the LSU Tigers women's basketball team.

Dawn Staley

The head coach of the South Carolina Gamecocks women's basketball team.

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What they’re saying

“I don't know if I have to really do anything. I think about when you're a player you're out there trying to do the best you can for the team you play for. I don't look for it as extra pressure on (Fulwiley).”

— Kim Mulkey, Head Coach, LSU Tigers

“Internally a competitor wants to do really good against their former team, but in my talks with her she's never said anything ugly about South Carolina. She doesn't have any bitterness. She's answered y'all's questions. She just wanted to go somewhere where she would have an opportunity to learn the point guard position. She liked our style of play.”

— Kim Mulkey, Head Coach, LSU Tigers

What’s next

The highly anticipated matchup between South Carolina and LSU is scheduled for February 14, 2026 at 8:30 p.m. ET on ABC.

The takeaway

This game will be an emotional one for former Gamecock star MiLaysia Fulwiley, but LSU coach Kim Mulkey doesn't expect the transfer to be a distraction. Fulwiley has expressed no bitterness towards South Carolina and simply wanted a fresh start and more opportunities to play point guard, which she is now getting at LSU.