South Carolina guard MiLaysia Fulwiley amused head coach Dawn Staley with her prediction that she'd push for a place in the starting lineup as a sophomore. Yet the ambition from Fulwiley also impressed Staley, who coached her as tough as anyone on the Gamecocks last season.
Speaking to 107.5 The Game, Staley recalled asking Fulwiley how she planned to attack 2024-25 after winning a national championship last month. “When I came in, I just kind of wanted to fit in and get the information that I needed,” Staley said Fulwiley told her. “So I didn’t really challenge to be a starter.”
Fulwiley continued: "Yeah, that’s what I’m gonna do. I’m gonna challenge myself, and I’m gonna challenge my teammates to be a starter.”
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Staley, who chuckled at those comments, nonetheless supports Fulwiley's confidence, impressed that the second-year player chose to absorb her blunt teachings over the past year rather than shut down under criticism. “Now she’s gonna take it to the next level,” Staley said. “And once she does, she’s gonna make us a better team.”
The coach benched Fulwiley early last season against North Carolina , limiting her to just three minutes in a nationally televised game. Staley also gave a stinging assessment to reporters.
"She lost her man a few times [defensively], gave up a couple of 3s," Staley said Fulwiley's benching against North Carolina via WACH FOX. "I know that's one of the things she has to improve on. But it was such a nip-and-tuck game that I don't want her to lose confidence. She'll know exactly why she didn't get extended minutes. I've always told my players that if you play well, you get extended minutes, and if you don't, that has to go to somebody else."
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Fulwiley, though, showed improvement with her defense and decision-making as the campaign continued. She enjoyed a phenomenal SEC Tournament to help South Carolina lift the conference trophy, scoring 24 points in the final against rival LSU. Her efforts were enough to earn SEC Tournament MVP. The hometown commit also produced 20 points in the NCAA Tournament second round against North Carolina.
With four of five 2023-24 starters returning for the Gamecocks next season, Fulwiley may find it difficult to crack Staley's starting lineup. The team will also welcome another top-10 recruiting class.
Still, Fulwiley can make the case that she's the most explosive pure scorer among South Carolina backcourt, particularly if she elevates from being an average 3-point shooter to an elite one.
“I feel like I’m the most confident person on the court every time I step on the court,” Fulwiley told reporters this year. “It feels great to have a little space to showboat and make those passes to my teammates. This is an electrified gym. I know this crowd is crazy and I know what they want to see. I have it in my bag, I might as well pull it out.”
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