Not Flau’jae Johnson, Kim Mulkey Urgent Plea Demands Fans Attention on Another LSU Star After Kentucky Victory

LSU’s season has largely been headlined by Flau’jae Johnson and Aneesah Morrow, but if you ask Kim Mulkey, it’s time to expand the conversation. After LSU’s gritty comeback win over Kentucky, Mulkey sent a clear message—LSU’s no 12 isn’t just a supporting act; she’s a star in her own right. The freshman phenom delivered when it mattered most, proving that LSU’s championship hopes don’t just rest on two shoulders—they rest on three.

According to a post on X by Bryce Koon, Mulkey didn’t mince words: “#LSU’s Kim Mulkey states that she feels Mikaylah Williams gets left out of the national conversation. ‘They need to start talking about her the way they talk about Flau’jae and Aneesah.‘”

In her postgame press conference, she expanded on this, saying, “Mikaylah is also a forgotten player in my opinion. She’s just a sophomore. But why is she not in the mix as being talked about as one of the top sophomores in the country? I get we are going to talk about Flau’jae, and we’re going to talk about Aneesah, as we should. But it’s always like it’s something with the media, they don’t want to put three of them on a list. She’s always the one left out. And I don’t understand that. And you saw today how much we rely on her and how good she is.”

Williams didn’t just echo her coach’s words—she proved them. Dropping 24 points, including 15 in the second half, she spearheaded LSU’s comeback from a 16-point hole to stun No. 14 Kentucky, 65-58. With the game on the line, she drilled a clutch three with 50 seconds left, sealing the win. Big-time players show up in big moments—Williams has made a habit of it. From her 32-point explosion against Stanford in December of 2024 to her latest heroics, she’s been LSU’s steady force.

Her numbers this season reinforce Mulkey’s point. Williams is averaging 16.8 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game while shooting 46.4% from the field. Those stats aren’t just good; they’re elite for a sophomore. Yet, she remains in the shadows of her more publicized teammates.

LSU’s Big Two is actually a Big Three ready for a deep NCAA run

Even Johnson, LSU’s leading scorer, recognized Williams’ talent early on. Speaking to SLAM Online, Johnson said, “It was my goal to make her freshman [of] the year after me [and] we did that.” Heading into the 2023-24 season, Johnson took Williams under her wing, knowing her potential. That potential was on full display against Kentucky.

The game itself was a testament to LSU’s resilience. Down 38-22 in the first half, the Tigers flipped the script in the third quarter, outscoring Kentucky 23-6. Johnson and Williams set the tone early in the second half, forcing turnovers and grabbing offensive rebounds to ignite the comeback.

Kentucky’s shooting struggles didn’t help their cause—star guard Georgia Amoore went just 6-of-22 from the field, including 3-of-15 from beyond the arc. Meanwhile, LSU’s defensive intensity forced nine second-half turnovers, while the Tigers dominated the boards 27-16 after halftime.

Mulkey’s 750th win was big, but her message was bigger—LSU’s Big Three isn’t just Johnson and Morrow. Williams is just as vital, and the proof is in the stats. Johnson’s confidence? Unshakable: “Anything less than a Final Four, I’m not gonna be happy about because I know what this team is capable of. Once you get a taste of that national championship, that’s the standard we have here now. We’re not going for anything less at all.”

With LSU locked in as a top-four seed for the SEC Tournament with a 27-2 record, the Tigers will need Williams at her best. Up next, they face Alabama on Thursday, another opportunity for her to reinforce Mulkey’s message. Johnson and Morrow may be the big names, but Williams has proven she belongs in that conversation, too.

The ball doesn’t lie, and neither do the stats. It’s time to start talking about Mikaylah Williams the way she deserves.