MiLaysia Fulwiley, a dynamic sophomore guard, has entered the transfer portal after a standout season under South Carolina coach Dawn Staley.

South Carolina women’s basketball standout MiLaysia Fulwiley has entered the NCAA transfer portal, leaving fans and analysts alike reflecting on her time with the Gamecocks. While head coach Dawn Staley has yet to publicly comment on Fulwiley’s decision, her previous statements offer insight into their relationship and the player’s development.

Dawn Staley and MiLaysia Fulwiley won the 2024 national championship

Throughout the 2024–25 season, Staley frequently praised Fulwiley’s dynamic skill set and potential. After a standout performance against Coppin State, where Fulwiley scored 23 points, Staley described her as a “dynamic guard” and acknowledged the challenges of balancing her flair with team play.

“She’s a dynamic guard. I thought for the most part, she was lean as lean can be [against Coppin State], playing great,” Staley said. “And sometimes she can’t bite the bullet. But if she can play as lean as she played today, I can eat some of the stuff that she tries to do.”

“So I give [Fulwiley] a little leeway with it,” she continued. “But I also let her know during the game, ‘Your game was great’. Efficient, the game slowed down for you… and then she gets anxious to make a play… that really gets her in trouble.”

In another instance, Staley addressed Fulwiley’s limited playing time in a game against Indiana during the 2025 NCAA Tournament Sweet Sixteen. Despite contributing to a significant run, Fulwiley played only 10 minutes.

“No, no,” Staley said after being asked whether anything was going on with Fulwiley in the game. “I thought she got off to a slow start, then it was hard. We had good combinations in and usually it’s Fulwiley out there. It just didn’t happen today.”

“I thought she handled it well. She wants to play, we need her to play, we need her to play well and it wasn’t anything besides just [other] units out there playing better,” Staley continued.

Staley’s comments consistently portrayed Fulwiley as a player with immense potential, capable of making a significant impact on the court. Fulwiley was extremely complimentary of her former head coach ahead of the Gamecocks championship game against UConn earlier this month.

“Dawn Staley is a great recruiter,” Fulwiley said. “She knows what she’s doing when she recruits these people. We all fit together perfectly.”

As Fulwiley explores new opportunities, her next destination will be closely watched by those who have followed her journey at South Carolina. Her decision to enter the transfer portal marks a new chapter in her career, one that will undoubtedly be influenced by the experiences and mentorship she received under Coach Staley’s guidance.