LSU Women’s Basketball Under Kim Mulkey: Navigating the Offseason

Following LSU’s stunning NCAA Tournament run that ended with an Elite Eight loss in 2024, head coach Kim Mulkey is once again in the spotlight, as she navigates an offseason filled with roster upheaval, transfers, and exciting new additions. Mulkey has faced the challenge of rebuilding her squad after key players such as Angel Reese and Hailey Van Lith declared for the WNBA Draft or moved on, leaving significant gaps to fill. The question on the minds of fans and analysts alike is how LSU will respond to these changes, and how the program will continue to evolve as one of the premier teams in women’s college basketball.

The Departures: What LSU Loses

Angel Reese: A Monumental Exit

The biggest loss for LSU comes in the form of Angel Reese, the standout forward who has been a dominant force for the Tigers in her time at LSU. Reese’s departure to the WNBA, after an impressive collegiate career, is both a loss of talent and leadership on the floor.

Over her two years with LSU, Reese became one of the top players in the country, notably winning multiple All-American honors and leading the Tigers in both scoring and rebounding. Her presence in the paint, as well as her ability to score efficiently both inside and from the free-throw line, made her a matchup nightmare for opponents. Reese’s decision to enter the WNBA Draft, while not entirely unexpected, leaves LSU with a significant void in their frontcourt.

The challenge for Kim Mulkey will be finding a way to replace Reese’s rebounding prowess and scoring consistency, especially given how central she was to LSU’s offensive and defensive strategies. LSU’s frontcourt now faces an uphill battle, but Mulkey’s reputation for turning talented players into superstars could provide hope.

Hailey Van Lith: The Perplexing Transfer Decision

Along with Reese, another pivotal player in LSU’s system is leaving: Hailey Van Lith. After a single season with LSU, the talented guard has opted to leave the Tigers and pursue another opportunity in the transfer portal. Van Lith’s decision is somewhat surprising given that she transferred from Louisville with the promise of adding another dimension to LSU’s offense alongside Reese and Mikaylah Williams.

Van Lith, known for her scoring ability and playmaking, was expected to be a key piece in LSU’s backcourt. However, her fit within the system didn’t materialize as expected, and it seems that she was seeking a team where her playing style could be utilized in a way that suited her more. Her departure not only creates a hole in LSU’s backcourt but also raises questions about the Tigers’ ability to maintain their offensive explosiveness moving forward.

The Transfers: Bolstering the Roster with Fresh Talent

In response to these departures, Kim Mulkey has wasted no time reshaping the roster, pulling in some key transfers that will help balance the team’s strengths and weaknesses heading into the next season.

Aneesah Morrow: A Force in the Paint

Perhaps the most exciting addition for LSU is Aneesah Morrow, who transferred from DePaul. Morrow is a two-time All-American and one of the most dominant forwards in the country. Last season, she averaged 18.7 points and 13.5 rebounds per game, leading the nation in rebounds. Her ability to secure boards, score inside, and stretch the floor makes her a perfect complement to LSU’s existing roster.

Morrow’s arrival is particularly important because it directly addresses the gap left by Reese’s departure. Morrow is expected to step into a major role, anchoring the frontcourt and providing the Tigers with a legitimate low-post threat on both ends of the floor. With her rebounding and scoring capabilities, Morrow could play a significant role in keeping LSU competitive against the physical teams of the SEC.

Shayeann Day-Wilson, Kailyn Gilbert, and Mjracle Sheppard: Reinforcing the Backcourt

In addition to Morrow, LSU has also brought in several talented guards, most notably Shayeann Day-Wilson, Kailyn Gilbert, and Mjracle Sheppard. Each of these players brings something unique to the table, which will help diversify LSU’s playing style.

• Shayeann Day-Wilson comes from Duke and Miami, where she averaged 10.8 points and 3.2 assists throughout her college career. Known for her versatility, Day-Wilson could play both guard positions and provide the Tigers with a dynamic offensive weapon capable of driving the ball and creating opportunities for others.
• Kailyn Gilbert, a transfer from Arizona, contributed 15.1 points per game last season. Her ability to score from deep, as well as her ability to make plays for her teammates, will be key in LSU’s attempts to fill the void left by Van Lith’s departure.
• Mjracle Sheppard, who comes from Mississippi State, brings defensive prowess and playmaking ability. Her well-rounded skill set could be instrumental in providing depth for LSU’s backcourt rotation, especially given the potential for a faster-paced game under Mulkey’s leadership.

These transfers not only strengthen LSU’s backcourt but also offer additional flexibility in how the Tigers can approach different game situations.

Divine Bourrage and Jada Richard: The Future of LSU Basketball

Looking beyond the current season, LSU’s recruitment class for the 2025 season is also incredibly promising. The Tigers landed five-star guard Divine Bourrage and Louisiana’s top high school player Jada Richard, both of whom are expected to play significant roles in the future.

Bourrage, ranked as the No. 5 player in the 2025 class, brings elite athleticism, shooting, and defense, making her a potential cornerstone for the Tigers moving forward. Richard, a local product, is known for her scoring ability and has the potential to make an immediate impact upon her arrival.

With these recruits, Mulkey has set up LSU to continue its ascent as a top-tier program in the coming years.

The Outlook for LSU Women’s Basketball

The departures of Reese and Van Lith are undoubtedly tough losses for LSU, but Kim Mulkey has proven to be an adept recruiter and coach, assembling a team with the talent and versatility necessary to remain competitive. The additions of Morrow, Day-Wilson, Gilbert, and Sheppard will significantly enhance the Tigers’ chances of making a deep run in the NCAA Tournament in the upcoming season.

While LSU will certainly miss the star power of Angel Reese, the influx of experienced transfers and exciting new talent should keep the Tigers in contention for both SEC and national championships. The question now is how quickly the new pieces will gel together. LSU has the talent to compete at the highest level, but the key will be how Mulkey utilizes her roster to its full potential.

LSU’s future remains bright, and fans are eagerly awaiting the new-look team to take the floor in the 2024-2025 season. With a blend of veteran experience and rising stars, LSU could once again be one of the premier programs in NCAA women’s basketball.

Kim Mulkey’s Leadership: The Key to LSU’s Success

At the heart of LSU’s resurgence in women’s basketball is Kim Mulkey, who continues to prove herself as one of the best coaches in the game. Mulkey’s ability to adapt and build championship-contending teams has been evident since her arrival at LSU, and her leadership will undoubtedly be pivotal in this new era for the Tigers.

Mulkey’s track record speaks for itself, with multiple national championships already under her belt. As she continues to develop her new roster and blend in transfers with returning talent, the future of LSU women’s basketball looks exceptionally bright. The offseason may have brought uncertainty, but with Mulkey at the helm, LSU remains one of the most formidable teams in the country.

Final Thoughts

As LSU’s roster continues to evolve, the team finds itself in an exciting period of transition. With new faces, both from the transfer portal and the high school ranks, the Tigers are poised to make another run at NCAA glory. Fans and analysts alike will be closely monitoring how Mulkey integrates the new talent into her system and how the team adapts to the departures of two key players.

With the offseason well underway, one thing is certain: LSU will be a force to reckon with in the 2024-2025 season, and Kim Mulkey’s leadership will play a central role in shaping the future of this storied program.