LSU’s roster experienced a lot of turnover ahead of the 2025-26 season. Three players transferred to LSU from other programs, including starting bigs Kate Koval and Amiya Joyner and key reserve MiLaysia Fulwiley, and five players on the roster are freshmen. With a young, new-look roster, Kim Mulkey has had to rely on new contributors. It has worked so far. LSU is still undefeated and leads the nation in points per game and points off the bench.
Some freshmen are also already making the case for bigger roles in the future. ZaKiyah Johnson and Grace Knox could be key rotational players for Mulkey for years to come. The latter just had her best game of the season and earned high praise from Mulkey, who has had a knack for sending strong forwards to the W recently.
After LSU’s 110-45 win over UTA, Mulkey raved about the freshman’s athleticism and energy. “She’s just an athlete, good lord,” Mulkey said in the postgame media availability. “You can’t block her out. You can’t keep her from flying to the boards. She finishes in traffic. She works really hard defensively for a freshman. She’s going to make mistakes, but her mistakes are done with effort…She might have had her best game here since she’s been at LSU.”
Grace Knox had a big game
With 25 points, 12 rebounds, 3 steals, and 3 blocks, Knox logged her second double-double of the season. It was the eleventh time she scored in double digits, but the first time she scored more than 13 points. She scored efficiently, too, shooting 55.6% from the field and missing only one of her six free throws.
Her 18 shot attempts were by far the most of the season. In fact, Knox led LSU in points and field-goal attempts, taking more shots than stars Flau’jae Johnson and MiLaysia Fulwiley. As LSU didn’t play the toughest opponent out there, this game was the perfect opportunity to get Knox a lot of playing time and looks.
LSU’s schedule will get a lot more difficult soon with games against Kentucky, Vanderbilt, second-ranked Texas, and Oklahoma coming up in January. As a freshman, Knox needs to go into those games confident in her abilities. Now, she just needs to prove that she can perform just as well against better competition.
Knox could be a key piece for Mulkey for years
For the last few seasons, LSU’s frontcourt was centered around Aneesah Morrow and Angel Reese. With both in the W now, Mulkey needed to revamp her frontcourt. Bringing in Kate Koval from Notre Dame and Amiya Joyner from East Carolina and Grace Knox, who left high school as one of the top recruits in her class, was a big part of that.
Joyner is a senior and won’t be at LSU for much longer. So, this season is really about preparing Knox to take on an even bigger role in the frontcourt next season. She currently averages 18 minutes off the bench.
With the right development, Knox could be Kim Mulkey’s next big star and the next walking double-double to leave LSU for the WNBA.