Dawn Staley focused on game, not former player MiLaysia Fulwiley

South Carolina coach says she's treating LSU star the same as any other opponent

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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South Carolina women's basketball coach Dawn Staley says she's not putting any extra emphasis on facing former player MiLaysia Fulwiley when the Gamecocks take on LSU. Staley says the focus is on winning the game, not the storyline of Fulwiley, a Columbia native, now playing for the Tigers after transferring from South Carolina.

Why it matters

The matchup between No. 3 South Carolina and LSU features two of the best teams and coaches in women's college basketball, with major implications for SEC and NCAA Tournament seeding. Fulwiley's transfer from South Carolina to LSU adds an intriguing personal storyline, but Staley is downplaying that and treating Fulwiley the same as any other opponent.

The details

Staley says the Gamecocks are 'not putting anything extra' into preparing for Fulwiley and will 'play the game' as they normally would against any other opponent. Fulwiley is averaging 13.4 points, 3.5 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 3.2 steals per game for LSU this season after spending two years at South Carolina, where she was considered a 'generational talent' by Staley.

  • The South Carolina-LSU game is scheduled for this weekend.

The players

Dawn Staley

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

MiLaysia Fulwiley

A junior guard for the LSU Tigers women's basketball team, who previously played for two seasons at South Carolina.

Kim Mulkey

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

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What they’re saying

“We're not putting anything extra. We're not going to do anything to her that is outside the norm. We're gonna play the game.”

— Dawn Staley, Head Coach, South Carolina Gamecocks (myrtlebeachonline.com)

What’s next

The South Carolina-LSU game will be a key matchup in the SEC standings and could impact both teams' seeding for the NCAA Tournament.

The takeaway

Staley is taking a pragmatic approach to facing her former player Fulwiley, focusing on the importance of the game itself rather than the personal storyline. This reflects Staley's experience and professionalism in coaching against former players, as she looks to keep the Gamecocks on track for a top seed in the NCAA Tournament.