“Next year we’ll start this thing up again and see what kind of team you have and go to work.” Kim Mulkey mentioned in the press conference after the heartbreaking loss against the UCLA Bruins. Hinting at the transfer portal, the 4-time NCAA Champion coach was clearly looking at the fresh start with fresh faces in the ‘Purple and Gold’ jersey. But she now has to deal with losing her own star in the portal.

As per On3 reports, LSU forward Sa’Myah Smith has entered the NCAA Transfer Portal after three seasons in Baton Rouge. The 6-foot-2 forward was instrumental in her three seasons under Kim Mulkey’s guidance. She averaged 6.6 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks per game this year. But her production skyrocketed just at the right moment for the big dance.

In the 2025 NCAA tournament, Smith scored 20 points against Florida State and 21 vs. NC State. She also posted double-doubles in both the Round of 32 and Sweet 16. Though the forward only managed four points in the Elite Eight, her main task was to defend Lauren Betts, and she met the 6 ft 7 challenge on the court. Now, after three seasons in Baton Rouge, Smith will depart in search of a new home for her final two seasons of eligibility.

For Kim Mulkey? She will lose both of her frontcourt starters. Smith opting for the transfer portal and Aneesah Morrow off to the WNBA, Mulkey and Co. enter a critical offseason in Baton Rouge with the program eyeing multiple immediate impact transfers to join the roster for next year. There is no doubt that LSU’s frontcourt will look a lot different.

Kim Mulkey and LSU’s options for upcoming season

Sophia-Young Malcom, Steffanie Blackmon, Brittney Griner, Destiny Williams, Angel Reese, Kalani Brown, and Lauren Cox are some of the stars who led Kim Mulkey’s championship sides. Can you spot any similarities? All are front-court players – strong on the glass and effective scorers. Many have already made a big impact in the WNBA.

Now with Aneesah and Sa’Myah Smith vacating the position, LSU has three options. Hope for their current roster’s frontcourt players to step up, make moves in the transfer portal or add a talented high school star to fill the void.

Talking about the LSU Tigers’ current roster, there is just one name – Jersey Wolfenbarger, who could fit in Kim’s requirements. The junior averaged 4.2 points and 3.4 rebounds in 13 minutes of game time. As for the high school recruits, Grace Knox and five-star guard ZaKiyah Johnson joined LSU’s elite group of 4 top-30 recruits in the class of 2025. That was the most in the nation.

To make an immediate impact, Kim Mulkey will have to look into the transfer portal. Arizona’s Breya Cunningham is the only top frontcourt star available in the current transfer portal after Latasha Lattimore’s transfer to Ole Miss. Breya Cunningham, entering her junior year, has great potential. The former five-star recruit and McDonald’s All-American could fit in the current LSU Tigers’ side seamlessly, putting up decent numbers with 7.7 points and 4.4 rebounds per contest. She is also a great rim protector. Who could be the next star for the LSU Tigers? We will have to wait for an official announcement from Kim Mulkey’s camp.