LSU coach Kim Mulkey rules out Last-Tear Poa from playing first regular season game against Eastern Kentucky
LSU coach Kim Mulkey has ruled out guard Last-Tear Poa from playing the Lady Tigers' first regular season game against Eastern Kentucky on Monday.
Mulkey told reporters after the Lady Tigers' exhibition game win over LSU-Alexandria that Poa hasn't appeared in team practices and is likely to miss the season opener (per Lafayette Daily Advertiser).
Reports claim Poa, who was born in Melbourne, Australia, has filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Immigration Services after denying her visa application. The visa denial has reportedly also affected her name, image and likeness earnings.
Mulkey was surprised about the development and clarified that she wasn't handling the players' NIL deals.
"She (Poa) hadn't been with us. She didn't discuss it with me. That's news to me," she said (11:23).
The champion coach was initially asked about the 5-foot-11 guard's absence in LSU's 114-53 win over Xavier on Oct. 25. She replied that Poa is addressing her issues off the court.
On Thursday, a spokesperson for the school said Poa's absence isn't related to the lawsuit she filed against U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (per Nola).
According to immigration rules, international students on F-1 student visas are denied from pursuing employment, except for limited employment authorizations, about the athletes' degrees.
International athletes have faced difficulties in participating in NIL in the U.S. Around 12% of Division I athletes are born outside of the country, and such transactions require an athlete to perform a service to receive a fee, which contradicts immigration regulations.
Kim Mulkey counts on Last-Tear Poa in defense
Last-Tear Poa, who played in Kim Mulkey's system for the past two years, averaged 4.9 points, 1.5 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game last season with LSU. She is also the team's top defensive specialist, especially in drawing charges.
Last season, Poa missed time after suffering a concussion in LSU's game against Ole Miss. She returned in the Tigers' NCAA Tournament game against Rice and drew a loud ovation from the fans.
Seconds after entering the floor, Poa received louder cheers after blocking a shot by a Rice player.
The veteran coach can use senior guard Shayeann Day-Wilson and freshman Jada Richard for the regular season opener.
The Tigers were ranked No. 7 in the coaches' preseason poll to be one of the seven SEC teams ranked in the Top 25.
South Carolina topped the list while Texas was ranked No. 4. Oklahoma was seeded 10th, while Ole Miss, Kentucky and Alabama were ranked No. 21, 22 and 25, respectively.
LSU enters the season without its top center, Angel Reese, who has graduated and ventured to the WNBA where she plays for the Chicago Sky.
The Tigers will be led by Flau'jae Johnson, Aneesah Morrow and Mikaylah Williams, with frontcourt player Sa'Myah Smith making a return from injury.
Will LSU open their season with a win despite the absence of Last-Tear Poa? Let us know your views in the comments section.