All she needed was four dribbles.
In South Carolina’s season opener against Notre Dame, MiLaysia Fulwiley made headlines after she blew by a swarm of green jerseys with an elite behind-the-back move, finishing with flair.
The Gamecocks would go on to dominate the Fighting Irish, 100-71, in their season opener held in Paris, France. Fulwiley finished the game with 17 points, six assists and six steals in her collegiate debut. And it didn’t take long for her compelling stat line and highlight clips to flood timelines.
Word traveled 4,000 miles back to the United States: a star was on the rise.
Gamecocks fans were enlivened, haters were quieted and the world was put on notice. Since then, Fulwiley has just kept on hoopin’. The Columbia, S.C. native is a burst of speed, undeniable swagger and equipped with a shot-making ability and handles. It’s been clear from the start that she is special, and since then, she’s been in her first season, averaging 11.7 points and logging 82 assists and 63 steals. Her season crescendoed into the SEC Tournament final matchup against LSU, where she dropped 24 points off the bench. The silky-smooth sorcerer of the basketball was then rightfully crowned the SEC Tournament MVP.
“MiLaysia is a generational player, an artist who is expanding her understanding of how to marry all aspects of her game every day,” South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley said, per a press release announcing Fulwiley had signed with Curry Brand. “We are learning things from each other about how to maximize her game, and it has been incredible to work with her on that process.”
Her flashy game is transcendent. “When it comes to the ability to change the game for good, nobody can speak to that more than MiLaysia,” Stephen Curry said. “She’s changing the women’s game on the fly with how she plays and moves on the court.”
While Fulwiley’s offensive prowess is undeniable, that isn’t all she can do. Despite being a natural scorer, Fulwiley isn’t afraid to show up on the defensive end of the floor: she grabbed nine boards against East Carolina and has multiple games with six steals. And most impressively, she does all of this while coming off the bench.
It’s crazy to think Fulwiley is only a freshman, but then again, she’s helping lead a new generation of phenoms who don’t just got next, but right now. Look no further than her, SLAM 248 cover star Juju Watkins, Hannah Hidalgo (to name a few), and even her own teammate, Tessa Johnson, who also dropped buckets in last night’s iconic championship win against Iowa.
Under the guidance of head coach Dawn Staley, Fulwiley has shined all season long. What we witnessed from her in this year’s NCAA tournament is just a glimpse of what she can do: jaw-dropping plays, unreal dimes and finishes at the rim. She’s fun, she’s got flair and she’s just getting started.
Photos via Getty Images.
