South Carolina star makes shocking decision about her collegiate future

Wow...
South Carolina Gamecocks, Dawn Staley
South Carolina Gamecocks, Dawn Staley | Carmen Mandato/GettyImages

South Carolina fans have had an eventful week, to say the least. Paige Bueckers and the Huskies blew out the Gamecocks in the national championship game, 82-59. Fans were still reeling from the loss two days later, but that changed when FSU guard Ta'Niya Latson announced she plans to transfer to South Carolina, reuniting with former high school teammate Raven Johnson.

Fans were hit with another major announcement on Friday, but it wasn't the news they hoped for. Lulu Kesin of The Greenville News reported that sophomore guard MiLaysia Fulwiley plans to enter the transfer portal. No public announcement has been made yet, but several other outlets have reported the same. Her mother, Phelliccia Nixon, confirmed the news to The State (subscription required).

South Carolina star MiLaysia Fulwiley plans to enter transfer portal

Fulwiley, a Columbia native, averaged 11.7 points, 2.8 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and a team-high 1.5 steals per game for the Gamecocks in 2024-25, shooting 42.6% from the field. She averaged 18.9 minutes off the bench. The 2025 SEC Sixth Woman of the Year was South Carolina's second-leading scorer, behind Joyce Edwards.

The news of Latson's transfer to South Carolina led to questions about running out a three-guard starting lineup of Johnson, Latson, and Fulwiley. Latson led all Division I players in scoring last season, so you can't blame Staley for going after her in the portal. It stings knowing that Fulwiley plans to leave, but that's the reality of college basketball today.

Fulwiley will be an excellent pickup for another top program, but it's worth noting that she could decide to return to South Carolina, even after the portal closes on April 22. Deciding to enter the portal had to have been a tough decision for Fulwiley, so barring another surprise, she's already played in her final game for the Gamecocks.

The 19-year-old has two years of eligibility remaining. She was a top-five prospect coming out of high school and was highly recruited. Fulwiley will experience that all over again, but it'll be a little different this time. The million-dollar question is, where will the guard go? Fans might not have to wait too long before getting an answer.