Staley’s Stance: Dawn Staley Addresses MiLaysia Fulwiley Transferring from South Carolina Women’s Basketball to LSU
COLUMBIA, S.C. – South Carolina women’s basketball head coach Dawn Staley has publicly addressed the high-profile transfer of dynamic guard MiLaysia Fulwiley to SEC rival LSU, offering a nuanced and characteristically candid perspective on the departure of a key player. Staley, known for her straightforwardness and unwavering support for her athletes, expressed understanding and well wishes for Fulwiley, even as the move sends ripples across the college basketball landscape.
Fulwiley, a highly touted South Carolina native and a significant contributor during her two seasons with the Gamecocks, announced her entry into the transfer portal before committing to Kim Mulkey’s LSU Tigers. Her decision to leave the reigning national champions for a direct conference competitor was undoubtedly one of the more talked-about developments of the recent offseason.
In her comments, Staley reportedly conveyed that while transfers can initially be “surprising,” she has evolved to “expect the unexpected” in the current era of college basketball. She reiterated her “much love” for Fulwiley, emphasizing that her deepest wish is for the young guard to find “happiness,” regardless of where she plays.
Staley openly shared details of the conversation she had with Fulwiley and her mother when the decision was formalized. “She came in with her mom and said, ‘I think I’m going to get into the transfer portal.’ And I was like, ‘Okay, well… you think or you know?’ And she said, ‘I know.'” Staley then offered words of encouragement, advising Fulwiley not to “look back” and reassuring her that she would “always be a Gamecock” and “always be welcome here.”
The decorated coach also highlighted the significant development Fulwiley underwent during her tenure at South Carolina. “I thought MiLaysia was getting better, I really did. I saw a whole lot of growth on and off the court. Like, we were just getting the best version of her now. We went through the hard part — smoothing some rough edges, getting her to create good habits.” Staley expressed confidence that “what we’ve given her — and what she’s given us — will allow her to have better, more consistent days than she had with us at her next stop.”
Fulwiley, a former five-star recruit and the SEC Sixth Player of the Year, consistently provided an electric spark off the bench for the Gamecocks. Her thrilling playmaking ability and scoring prowess will now be utilized by LSU, undoubtedly intensifying the already heated rivalry between these two SEC powerhouses. Staley’s public remarks offer a mature and empathetic view of the modern transfer portal, underscoring her commitment to player well-being even amidst challenging personnel decisions.
