LSU head coach Kim Mulkey is keeping her cards close to her chest regarding MiLaysia Fulwiley’s exact role in the Tigers’ 2025-26 lineup. The championship-winning coach acknowledges the exciting possibilities but insists the specifics will be determined during fall preparations.
Fulwiley’s arrival from South Carolina has created a wealth of options for Mulkey’s backcourt rotation. The former SEC Tournament MVP brings proven versatility that could reshape how LSU approaches its perimeter game moving forward.
Kim Mulkey Emphasizes Positional Flexibility Over Defined Roles
Rather than locking Fulwiley into a specific position, Mulkey is focusing on her team’s collective talent. When asked about how the transfer will fit alongside stars Flau’jae Johnson and Mikaylah Williams, the coach emphasized flexibility over set roles.
“I just know that I’ve got tremendous perimeter players and it’s my job to figure out who needs to play with who and who’s gonna be the point guard when that group’s in the game and who can move over to the wing,” Mulkey told The Advocate.
MiLaysia Fulwiley’s bag is DEEP 🎒
Tough 🔥 pic.twitter.com/WZ9skiPedR
— ESPN (@espn) April 4, 2025
Mulkey’s approach shows the luxury of having multiple players capable of handling various responsibilities. Fulwiley joins a group that includes Williams and sophomore Jada Richard as players who can play effectively both on and off the ball.
This kind of depth gives LSU something most teams can only dream about: the ability to throw different looks at opponents without losing talent on the floor.
The Tigers now have three guards who can create their own shots, handle the ball under pressure, and defend multiple positions. That’s a nightmare for opposing coaches trying to game plan against LSU’s attack.
Depth Creates Championship-Level Versatility
The addition of Fulwiley creates matchup advantages that weren’t available in previous seasons, giving LSU multiple lineup configurations depending on opponents and game situations.
Mulkey can now roll out lineups that feature three legitimate playmakers at once, something that should make the Tigers nearly impossible to defend consistently.
“So I’ve got three that really could play multiple positions on the perimeter,” Mulkey told The Advocate, referring to Fulwiley, Williams, and Richard. This depth allows for seamless substitutions and strategic adjustments throughout games without sacrificing playmaking ability or defensive intensity.
The Tigers’ backcourt now features proven scorers who can adapt to different roles as needed. Johnson averaged 18.6 points per game last season, while Williams contributed 17.3 points per game, creating a formidable trio when combined with Fulwiley’s 11.7 points per game at South Carolina.
Those numbers tell only part of the story, though. All three players can handle the ball, create for teammates, and knock down shots from anywhere on the court.
LSU finished the 2024-25 season with a strong 31-6 record and advanced to the Elite Eight before falling to Iowa. The Tigers reached the SEC Tournament championship game but lost to South Carolina, the same program Fulwiley is departing. After falling short of their championship goals, Fulwiley’s arrival could provide the final piece LSU needs.
The timing couldn’t be better for LSU. With Johnson and Williams already established as elite scorers, adding Fulwiley gives the Tigers a third option who has proven she can perform on the biggest stages. Her experience in high-pressure situations, including that SEC Tournament MVP performance, should pay dividends when March rolls around.
Mulkey‘s approach to finalizing rotations shows her understanding of the balance required to maximize talent while maintaining team chemistry.
With Fulwiley’s championship experience alongside Johnson and Williams, LSU enters the season with legitimate title aspirations backed by backcourt depth and versatility that few programs can match.