When MiLaysia Fulwiley entered the portal with a “Do Not Contact” tag, Kim Mulkey had probably started deciding the menu for the big party. After all, On3 had called the team “strong frontrunners,” and after Aneesah Morrow’s departure, the team desperately needed a star guard who could shake up the offensive dynamic. And considering that Mulkey’s days just kept going from bad to worse, thanks to the transfer portal, she must have had no intentions to slow down. Because, as they say, bloom where you are planted. 

In last year’s transfer portal, Mulkey had given her all to strengthen the backcourt. So, when this year’s season wrapped up, one probably thought she had all the pieces of the puzzle and had to focus on getting through injuries, establishing good leadership, and yes, eyeing opportunities in the portal. But, honestly, it didn’t take more than a week for the shuffles to turn her plans onto their heads. Those “opportunities” turned into necessities if the team wished to float. Six of her players entered the portal, and Mulkey knew she couldn’t overlook any part of the court now.

Fair to say that LSU responded in a major way. In the latest move, they snatched a key part of her rival team’s rotation. It’s one of the biggest portal moves this offseason, and it’s already lifted the mood in Baton Rouge! MiLaysia Fulwiley’s arrival fills the gaping hole of a point guard. She will be joining Kate Koval, Serah Williams, and Amiya Joyner, giving Mulkey’s roster a more rounded look.

So, of course, Flau’jae Johnson couldn’t contain her excitement after the news broke. She took to X and quoted a tweet claiming LSU now has the best Big 3 in the nation with just one word: “Yes.” That simple response said it all. Even Kim Mulkey joined in on the celebration, posting a gif of her championship-winning squad alongside three blaring siren emojis “🚨🚨🚨”. A pretty silent response, but we all know it’s party time in Baton Rouge!

Fulwiley’s addition to the LSU roster is sort of fascinating, if not unexpected, for more than one reason. She has jumped from South Carolina to a team that was her biggest rival just a until days ago. Also, when with Staley’s squad, she often had to find her way because the team already had a lot of talented players, so much so that Fulwiley came off the bench in all 38 games this past season. While she has never said anything outright, fans and analysts alike were convinced that she decided to switch in search of more playing time.

Now, this is exactly what brings a layer of intrigue. The LSU Tigers have a guard-heavy squad with Flau’jae Johnson and Mikaylah Williams. So, wouldn’t she still be fighting for the same old reason in a brand new squad?

Regardless, the SEC is now shaping up to be an interesting watch. South Carolina’s trip to Baton Rouge in 2026 just got even more intriguing. Remember the tension that built up during 2023-24? The Tigers had come so close to beating Carolina for the first time in the season. While Staley and Co. bounced back, things boiled over eventually in the SEC tournament final. The fuse was lit when MiLaysia Fulwiley swiped the ball from LSU’s Flau’jae Johnson, provoking Johnson to foul her in an attempt to stop the momentum. Tensions flared further as Ashlyn Watkins marked the moment with an in-your-face celebration near Johnson, triggering a round of shoves. The situation then escalated when Kamilla Cardoso forcefully shoved Johnson to the floor. All of this caused a 20-minute delay.

Now, in a twist worthy of a sports drama, Johnson and Fulwiley will trade blows for chemistry as teammates, joining forces to form what could be one of the most powerful backcourts not just in the SEC, but across the entire college basketball landscape. And Kim Mulkey? She’s all in, ready to unleash this firepower on the hardwood.

Curry will be eager to see how Fulwiley fits into Kim Mulkey’s lineup

While Mulkey did not say much on social media, she had enough enthusiasm in the press release. And we all knew she’d be, so no surprises there. Fulwiley’s skill set—explosive athleticism, elite ball-handling, and a knack for game-changing plays—is all in tandem with LSU’s up-tempo identity. Her 23-point performance in a Sweet 16 win over Maryland was proof of her ability to take over games, a trait Mulkey has been looking for.

The Lady Tigers were actively searching for a true floor general after losing key backcourt production to the portal. With Flau’jae Johnson and Mikaylah Williams returning, LSU still needed a dependable point guard to run the show. And they got their player with this big move! Together, they form a trio that @BleacherReport called “a get for Kim Mulkey 😳“. So, the 4x national champion had nothing but praise for the 20-year-old.

“I’m excited to welcome MiLaysia as the newest member of our LSU Tiger family!” Kim Mulkey said in the official press release. “She’s bringing her incredible playmaking ability to Baton Rouge, standing out as one of the most electrifying talents in college basketball. Her ability to impact winning has been clear throughout her career, and we can’t wait to see her shine in purple and gold at the PMAC soon!”

And until then, there is plenty to speculate about.

It is only natural to think that Fulwiley might lead many of her games at LSU. After all, she has played 77 career games and yet started only three. Turning a new page, she wouldn’t want to bore herself with a story she’s all too familiar with. And if Steph Curry’s words are any indication, not banking on her talent would be a huge miss for the Tigers. “Very similar to how I play, there’s a flair for the dramatic, a creativity that she always finds a way to express,” Curry told the Greenville News. “She has a killer instinct.” Yeah, don’t be surprised if he shows up to a South Carolina vs. LSU game rocking a Fulwiley tee.

So, now, the buck stops with Mulkey. It will be interesting to see how Fulwiley will fit into the roster. Would she be playing a smaller role with just more minutes? What do you think?