LSU coach Kim Mulkey is back at work assembling her roster for 2026, and she started less than a week after watching her Tigers’ season end in a 72–65 Elite Eight loss to UCLA.In the era of NIL deals and an ever-changing transfer portal, Mulkey has found herself losing out on a top target to UConn’s Geno Auriemma, as she struggles to scout not only high school recruits but also experienced college basketball players. Mulkey, who issued an unwelcome reminder to Dawn Staley after landing one of her star players from South Carolina, has previously expressed her frustrations with the state of college sports.”Well, we’re tired, but no rest for the weary,” Mulkey said on April 1. “We don’t even have time to think about the last game and the season because we’re in the transfer portal. It’s the world we live in. There’s just something wrong with this picture.Years ago, you worried about transfers. Was it me? Did they not like you? Now, they don’t get in the portal because they don’t like you or they’re not playing. It’s just, ‘Hey, got to go try to get some more money, some better NIL deals,’ or what? It’s just broken, guys,” she continued.Mulkey’s frustration stems from a system she believes rewards movement for financial gain over loyalty, competitiveness, and pride, as it has in years past. Auriemma, whose UConn Huskies won the title, quietly landed a Mulkey transfer target in Wisconsin forward Serah Williams in his program for next season
