Things might not always suit Kim Mulkey, but she always makes the best of her circumstances! Losing six players to the transfer portal is a horrid feeling, especially after an Elite Eight embarrassment against the UCLA Bruins. Nothing seemed to be going in favor of the Tigers, until the transfer portal blessed them with some reprieve in the form of MiLaysia Fulwiley!

A crucial part of rival coach Dawn Staley’s rotation, Kim Mulkey made shockwaves by snagging the South Carolina transfer. Fulwiley averaged around 11 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 assists per game this past season, but she rarely got opportunities to earn a starting spot. In her two seasons as a Gamecock, MiLaysia only got to start three games, and this was something Mulkey used to her advantage!

In an exclusive interview with Gordon McKernan, the Baton Rogue head coach talked about how well thought-out Fulwiley’s decision was. After two seasons of competing against the Tigers, #12 on the Gamecocks knows how they do it in Louisiana! “These young people do their homework.” Mulkey added. “They look at rosters, they look at openings in the starting five, they look at openings in the rotation of eight and nine players.”

Considering the production that Fulwiley had in South Carolina, her analytical mind makes sense. The young guard thought about all the pros and cons, and when the time came to make her decision? “She pretty much had her mind made up.” The LSU coach said it best.

This comes as a huge blow for Dawn Staley and the Gamecocks. It is one thing to lose a player to the transfer portal, it’s even harder to begrudge them for looking at better opportunities. However, one of your most important players heading towards a rival team is a different matter entirely.

But how does LSU’s roster look like with the addition of Fulwiley? Will she get the opportunity that she wanted? Or is the grass always greener on the other side? Let’s find out what WNBA legend Lisa Leslie has to say about the situation.

Lisa Leslie has an interesting piece of advice for Kim Mulkey’s newest signing

We all know that Lisa Leslie and Dawn Staley are like two peas in a pod. They have been friends since they were teenagers, and there’s an immense amount of love and respect between the two. So after this momentous transfer, the WNBA legend weighed in with her own two cents.

Leslie pointed out how losing Fulwiley definitely hurt the Gamecocks quite a bit, and questioned whether her departure was because of a lack of patience. “Everybody wants to play now, and they want to play the whole time. And I get it.” She said in an exclusive with Sports Illustrated. “It’s not that any kid shouldn’t want to, but we’ll see if the grass is greener on the other side.” 

USA Today via Reuters

But aside from this, she had a decent piece of advice for the now LSU junior guard. “My biggest suggestion [to college transfers] is remember that you’re the same player.” Leslie said, reminding Fulwiley to keep up with her work ethic and to be the same player that affected winning for the Gamecocks.

It will be interesting to see how this transfer works out for both teams. Currently, the LSU Tigers have quite a solid backcourt with Johnson, Williams, and now Fulwiley. Can they win another natty with this combo? Only time will tell!