Kim Mulkey’s path to success has never been smooth, but then again, nothing about her journey has been about comfort. A brash and unapologetic coach, Mulkey’s career is as colorful as it is accomplished. By 2021, her coaching prowess had led to 28 players drafted to the WNBA, adding to her impressive tally of 9 conference regular-season titles, 8 conference tournament championships, and 4 NCAA championships (By 2025). Her career win rate of 85.9% speaks volumes about her effectiveness. Yet, despite these accolades, Kim Mulkey’s reputation has often sparked debate, especially when it comes to her track record of preparing players for the WNBA.

And following LSU’s latest NCAA appearance, one X user couldn’t help but point fingers, tweeting, “I wonder why Mulkey’s inability to successfully transfer her athletes from college to the W hasn’t been a topic of discussion.”

Despite the criticism, the defense of Mulkey has been just as strong. Kalani Brown, a former player under Mulkey at Baylor and now a center for the Phoenix Mercury, was quick to defend her former coach.

In an impassioned statement, Brown wrote on Twitter, “Let me say this… Kim Mulkey DID prepare me for the league. I was out of the league because of no one but ME. I had to reflect & make that choice to ‘want it.’ In all honesty, I needed thicker skin & some mental toughness to be in the W. Which is why I think God sat me down those two years. So stop playing on me & my coach’s name. Kimberly did what she had to do, I didn’t. & I can only speak for myself.”

Brown’s words speak to the heart of the matter—Mulkey’s style is tough, but it works for those who are ready to embrace it. Players who have succeeded under her know that the grit she instills is exactly what the professional leagues demand. And while not all players may thrive under that pressure, those who do often credit her for preparing them for the harsh realities of the WNBA.

This latest defense of Mulkey’s coaching ability comes as LSU lands a notable recruit—Amiya Joyner, a two-time First Team All-State player. Joyner, who had a standout career at East Carolina, is transferring to LSU and bringing her impressive talent to Mulkey’s roster. Ranked 70th in ESPN HoopGurls’ 2022 rankings, Joyner, a four-star recruit, embodies the type of player who Mulkey has cultivated over the years. Her decision to join LSU highlights the trust players place in Mulkey’s ability to guide them not just to victory but to the next level—whether that’s the NCAA tournament or, eventually, the WNBA.

In the wake of Mulkey’s recent achievements and her ability to consistently draw top-tier talent, the WNBA track record question feels less like a critique and more like an outlier. Fans have rallied behind Mulkey’s resilience, with many voicing their support on X, responding to the negative comments with their own affirmations of her success.

‘Google Her!’—Fans Shut Down Mulkey Doubts with Cold, Hard Facts

One fan said, “Kim Mulkey 4 National Championships. Hmm that is why.”

Not just 4 national championships—Kim Mulkey holds the 4th-highest win-loss percentage in NCAA women’s basketball history, with a jaw-dropping 85.9% win rate. Her record? 754 wins to just 124 losses. The only names ahead of her? Legends. And leading the list is none other than Geno Auriemma at 88.3% (NCAA.com). Mulkey isn’t just great—she’s generational.

Another fan fired back, “She has about 20 players who has been in the league. What you mean?”

Nope—Mulkey had 28 players drafted into the WNBA by 2021 alone, per The Undefeated and NCAA archives. That doesn’t even count the storm she’s stirring up at LSU. In just her first season, Reese has earned titles such as 2024 WNBA All-Star, a spot on the 2024 WNBA All-Rookie Team, and finished as the league’s leading rebounder that same year. She carried that momentum into the Unrivaled league, where she was named the 2025 Defensive Player of the Year and led her team to a championship title.

Mulkey didn’t just revive LSU—she re-engineered it.

One fan put it bluntly: “Atp you just f–n tweeting cause I’m not a big Mulkey fan & I know for a fact many players in the W played for her in college! Just because you only know of her with LSU don’t mean nun!”

Exactly. People forget that Mulkey spent the bulk of her career building a dynasty with the Baylor Bears, where she won three national titles (2005, 2012, 2019). She only began coaching at LSU in the 2021–22 season, and within just four seasons, she delivered LSU’s first-ever NCAA title in 2023 (ESPN).
That’s not just coaching. That’s a legacy builder.

Another fan asked, “Dijonai Carrington? Nalyssa Smith?”

And not just them. Let’s talk Brittney Griner—the first woman to dunk in both the Unrivaled league and a WNBA playoff game.
Sure, people might say, “She’s tall—of course she made it.” But there are plenty of tall players riding the bench. Griner made it because of talent, hustle, and yes, guidance from Mulkey.
Nalyssa Smith, a two-time WNBA All-Star, and Angel Reese, who dropped the first 20-20 double-double in Unrivaled history, are also part of Mulkey’s player tree. That’s not a coincidence. That’s a pipeline of excellence.

And when one fan simply said, “Yeah this dumb. All it take is a lil Google search,”
they nailed it.

Because a quick look turns up names like:
Nalyssa Smith, Dijonai Carrington, Brittney Griner, Angel Reese, Odyssey Sims, Kalani Brown, Te’a Cooper, DiDi Richards—
And the future’s already warming up with Hailey Van Lith (yes, she is from TCU, but she developed her game under Mulkey too) and Aneesah Morrow, both drafted after standout seasons under Mulkey at LSU.