Following A’ja Wilson’s footsteps, MiLaysia Fulwiley takes pride in representing South Carolina: “I’m really blessed to just be here”
South Carolina guard MiLaysia Fulwiley expressed pride in representing her home state in the college basketball wars, just like her role model, former Gamecocks great and Las Vegas Aces star, A'ja Wilson.
During her guest appearance on the "No Cap Space WBB" podcast, Fulwiley stated that representing South Carolina is a blessing for her. She gets an opportunity to tag along with hometown basketball heroes — Wilson, Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant and teammate Ashlyn Watkins — and gain some tips on how she can be a better player in the future.
"I'm just really blessed to just be here and represent my state and just tag along with the great people, because they're making great decisions in life and they're also just doing great in their sport," the sophomore guard said. (1:42)
Fulwiley admitted she followed Wilson's blueprint of choosing to play for the Gamecocks over other schools and got rewarded with a national championship.
"She (A'ja Wilson) was a good blueprint for me. I saw how she become very successful in South Carolina and won a national championship. So just to see A'ja do those things it was just made it kind of clear for me (to commit to South Carolina)," she said. (2:04)
MiLaysia Fulwiley, a five-star high school standout at W.J. Keenan, opted to stay closer to home, committing to South Carolina over offers from Louisville, Ole Miss and Florida. She helped the Gamecocks win the 2024 national championship by going 38-0 the whole season.
Similarly, Wilson, the No. 1 high school prospect in the Class of 2014, committed to South Carolina. She then led the team to a national title in 2017, beating the Mississippi State Bulldogs in the final.
South Carolina's MiLaysia Fulwiley seeks to stretch her unbeaten run in college
MiLaysia Fulwiley appeared in all 38 games for South Carolina last season and averaged 11.7 points, 2.9 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.7 steals per game.
The sophomore guard showed her true potential in the Gamecocks' 126-42 win over Clayton State in an exhibition game last Oct. 28. She scored 24 points on 10-of-18 shooting, including 4-of-7 from the 3-point line. Aside from her offensive masterclass, Fulwiley also showed her teeth on defense, tallying two rebounds, three blocks and seven steals in almost 25 minutes of play.
On Monday night, MiLaysia Fulwiley will look to extend South Carolina's winning streak to 39 games in the 2024-25 college basketball season opener against Michigan in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Will the South Carolina women's basketball team win its season opener against Michigan? Let us know your views in the comments section.