“I Was Forced to Leave”: MiLaysia Fulwiley Breaks Silence on Painful South Carolina Exit and Reveals Shocking Truth About LSU Tigers
In a heartfelt and emotional revelation that has sent shockwaves through the college basketball world, MiLaysia Fulwiley has finally spoken out about her surprising departure from the South Carolina Gamecocks, shedding light on the circumstances that led to her exit and raising serious questions about her future and the dynamics within two of the most high-profile programs in women’s college basketball — South Carolina and LSU.
Fulwiley, one of the most electrifying young guards in the country, took to social media and later sat down for an exclusive interview to share the emotional burden she’s carried in silence since leaving South Carolina. “I didn’t want to go. I was forced to leave,” she said, her voice trembling with emotion. “It wasn’t about basketball. It was about everything else — the pressure, the politics, and what I felt was a lack of real support behind the scenes.”
Her departure came as a shock to fans and analysts alike. Fulwiley had a stellar freshman campaign under Coach Dawn Staley, showcasing elite handles, court vision, and a scoring ability that had WNBA scouts already buzzing. But behind the highlight reels and fanfare, she reveals a more troubling experience that led to her decision.
According to Fulwiley, internal dynamics and off-court issues contributed to a growing sense of isolation. “It felt like I was walking on eggshells. If I made one mistake, it was magnified. If others made mistakes, it was brushed off,” she said. “I started to feel like I didn’t belong — not because I wasn’t good enough, but because I didn’t fit a certain mold.”
Adding to the controversy, Fulwiley claimed that conversations with members of the LSU Tigers program exposed a deeper level of recruiting rivalry and program tension. “There were whispers even before I left South Carolina. People at LSU knew things that hadn’t even been made public. It made me question everything — who I could trust, who had my back, and what was really going on behind closed doors.”
She stopped short of accusing any individuals directly but made it clear that her decision to leave wasn’t made lightly — and it wasn’t entirely hers. “I love South Carolina. I love my teammates. But I couldn’t stay in an environment that made me question my worth every day,” Fulwiley stated.
The South Carolina program has yet to issue an official response to her claims. Coach Staley, widely respected in the basketball world for her leadership and advocacy, has remained silent on the matter. Meanwhile, LSU, led by the outspoken and headline-grabbing Kim Mulkey, is reportedly not actively recruiting Fulwiley, though speculation around a transfer continues to build.
For now, MiLaysia Fulwiley is taking time to reflect and heal. She remains undecided about her next move, though she affirmed her love for the game remains strong. “Basketball is still my peace. Wherever I end up, I just want to feel valued — not just as a player, but as a person.”
Fans across the country have rallied in support of Fulwiley, calling for greater transparency and fairness in how student-athletes are treated, especially young Black women navigating the intense world of college sports.
Her story serves as a powerful reminder: behind every highlight and headline is a human being navigating real struggles — and sometimes, a painful silence they’re finally ready to break.