The Shocking Truth: 5 Major Milaysia Fulwiley Transfer Landing Spots And Why LSU Won The Mega-Portal Battle

The landscape of Women's College Basketball was irrevocably altered in April 2025 when one of the sport's most dynamic young talents, Milaysia Fulwiley, announced her intention to enter the NCAA Transfer Portal. The move by the former South Carolina Gamecocks star immediately set off a scramble among the nation’s elite programs, transforming the transfer market into a high-stakes, multi-million dollar bidding war for her signature. The question on every fan's mind was simple: Where would the hometown hero land next? The answer, a commitment to rival LSU, was perhaps the biggest shock of the offseason.

As of today, December 17, 2025, the dust has settled, but the impact of Fulwiley's decision to join the LSU Tigers remains a dominant storyline. This article dives deep into the high-profile recruitment, exploring the rumored destinations, the powerful NIL factors at play (specifically her groundbreaking deal with the Curry Brand), and the personal reasons Fulwiley gave for leaving the comfort of her Columbia, South Carolina, home to join Coach Kim Mulkey in Baton Rouge.

Milaysia Fulwiley: A Rising Star's Profile and Shocking Departure

Milaysia Fulwiley’s journey from a high school phenom in Columbia, South Carolina, to a national collegiate star has been closely watched. Her decision to transfer was not just a roster move; it was a seismic event in the Southeastern Conference (SEC).

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• Full Name: Milaysia Fulwiley
• Born: April 21, 2005
• Hometown: Columbia, South Carolina
• Position: Guard (Point Guard/Shooting Guard)
• Previous College: University of South Carolina Gamecocks
• Current College: LSU Tigers
• High School Accolades: McDonald's All-American, four-time SCBCA Player of the Year, Naismith High School All-American (Third Team).
• College Career Highlights (South Carolina): Averaged 11.7 points per game (PPG) and 2.9 assists per game (APG) during her tenure with the Gamecocks. She was a key rotational player for the elite program under Coach Dawn Staley.
• Key NIL Deal: First collegiate athlete to sign a multi-year NIL deal with Stephen Curry's "Curry Brand" (Under Armour), a partnership that significantly influenced her transfer speculation.

The departure from the Gamecocks, a program where she was a local hero, was deeply personal. Fulwiley stated that she needed to "leave her family" and "start all the way over" for the sake of her basketball career. The proximity of the University of South Carolina to her home—reportedly only 12 to 15 minutes away—meant she was always surrounded by her past. The transfer was a deliberate step to find a new environment where she could focus solely on her development as a professional athlete, away from the familiar comforts of her lifelong home.

The Top 5 Rumored Milaysia Fulwiley Transfer Landing Spots (And Why LSU Won)

When a player of Fulwiley’s caliber enters the portal, the list of potential suitors is short, but powerful. The speculation was intense, driven heavily by her apparel deal and the need for a system that could maximize her dynamic, playmaking style. Here are the top programs that were immediately linked to her, and the ultimate reason LSU prevailed.

1. LSU Tigers (The Ultimate Destination)

LSU quickly emerged as a front-runner and the eventual winner. The allure was obvious: a high-profile, championship-caliber program led by the charismatic and successful Coach Kim Mulkey. The Tigers offered a chance to remain in the competitive SEC while providing a fresh start in Baton Rouge. The team's fast-paced, high-scoring offense is a perfect fit for Fulwiley's dynamic guard play, promising her a high-usage role. In a stunning detail, Coach Mulkey revealed that Fulwiley committed to the program without ever taking an official visit—no tour, no locker room walkthrough—a testament to the trust and immediate connection established between the player and the coaching staff.

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2. Ole Miss Rebels

The Ole Miss Rebels, coached by Yolett McPhee-McCuin ("Coach Yo"), were a strong early contender. Coach Yo is known for her aggressive recruiting in the transfer portal, and the Rebels were seen as a program on the rise. Analysts connected Fulwiley to Ole Miss as a team that could immediately benefit from her scoring and playmaking to elevate them into the top tier of the SEC. The idea was a massive role on a team that desperately needed her star power.

3. Indiana Hoosiers

The Indiana Hoosiers were a dark horse in the race, offering a compelling opportunity outside the SEC. Indiana is a top-tier Big Ten program with a strong, loyal fanbase and a history of developing elite guards. For Fulwiley, this destination presented a chance to become the undisputed face of a major program in a new conference, potentially maximizing her NIL value and national exposure in a different market.

4. Notre Dame Fighting Irish

Notre Dame, under Coach Niele Ivey, was another program mentioned in the top-tier discussions. The Fighting Irish have a legacy of producing WNBA talent and could offer Fulwiley a prominent role on a national contender. Their system, which often relies on creative guard play, was seen as a strong schematic fit for Fulwiley's skillset.

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The NIL Factor: Curry Brand and the Under Armour Connection

The recruitment of Milaysia Fulwiley was unique because it was inextricably linked to her Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deal with the Curry Brand, a sub-brand of Under Armour, launched by NBA superstar Stephen Curry. Fulwiley was the first collegiate athlete to sign with the brand, making her a crucial part of their marketing strategy.

This deal meant that any potential transfer landing spot would ideally be an Under Armour-sponsored school. The apparel giant's influence on the transfer process became a silent, yet powerful, factor. While LSU is an Nike-sponsored school, the commitment demonstrated that the personal and basketball fit with Coach Mulkey and the program outweighed the apparel conflict. The move was a strong signal that the partnership with the Curry Brand was flexible enough to accommodate the best basketball decision for Fulwiley, although it did create a minor hurdle for the brand.

The NIL ecosystem is now fundamentally tied to recruiting. Players like Fulwiley are not just choosing a coach or a system; they are choosing a market and a brand that will help them maximize their earning potential. Her decision to transfer to a high-visibility program like LSU, even an SEC rival, confirms that the pursuit of the best on-court opportunity—and the accompanying NIL exposure—is paramount for today's elite collegiate athletes.

The Kim Mulkey Factor and Expectations in Baton Rouge

Coach Kim Mulkey, a national champion-winning coach, is known for her ability to attract and develop top-tier talent. Her recruitment of Fulwiley was a masterclass in portal strategy. Mulkey reportedly only needed one conversation with the star guard to secure the commitment, highlighting the power of her reputation and the vision she sold to Fulwiley.

At LSU, Fulwiley is expected to step into a significant role, potentially taking over lead guard responsibilities and becoming an immediate offensive catalyst. Her dynamic style—characterized by explosive drives, creative passing, and clutch scoring—is exactly what Mulkey's system thrives on. The move allows Fulwiley to truly blossom in a new environment, free from the shadow of being the "hometown kid" at South Carolina.

The LSU Tigers now possess one of the most exciting rosters in the country, and Fulwiley's addition elevates their championship aspirations. She will be a central figure in their SEC title and NCAA Tournament campaigns. For fans, the ultimate curiosity is how her electrifying talent will translate when given the keys to a high-powered offense, making her one of the most-watched players of the 2025-2026 season.