Kim Mulkey's Savvy Recruiting Ability Changing LSU Hoops
Kim Mulkey is changing the culture in Baton Rouge before our eyes. In two years, the Hall of Fame head coach has transformed the LSU women’s basketball program into a powerhouse with no signs of slowing down anytime soon.
The growth of the program has been significant. Mulkey at the helm has brought a supportive fanbase and has all of America tuned into what she’s building down South. From recruiting wins to a National Championship victory, the tide is turning in Baton Rouge with even greater things on the horizon.
Recruiting Success
The NCAA Transfer Portal has become the new way of building a “superteam” and that is precisely what Mulkey’s program has done. After landing the No. 1 transfer in 2022, Angel Reese, her game exploded to new heights. The All-American took the nation by storm after averaging 23 points a night with 15.4 rebounds, leading the Tigers to their first title in program history.
But now the game has changed even more. Reese will team up with superstar point guard Hailey Van Lith in 2023 after she announced she’d be taking her game down South. With the addition of Van Lith, LSU has now added the No. 1 transfer in back-to-back years. Another huge win for Mulkey and her staff.
The success doesn’t stop there. This program also reeled in the No. 1 2023 recruiting class after signing Mikaylah Williams (No. 2 prospect) and Aalyah Del Rosario (No. 7 prospect), among others. Mulkey is on a mission to bring the best of the best to Baton Rouge and it’s been nothing short of a success thus far.
Changing the Game
It was never expected that this team would take home a National Championship in Mulkey’s second season at the helm of the program. There are hurdles that need to be jumped before reaching such a milestone, but with a coach like Mulkey, it’s easy to skip a few along the way.
In year two, the culture changed. The air was different in Baton Rouge. After the Tigers secured Reese and four-star guard Flau’jae Johnson during the offseason, this team looked the part. Factoring in the addition of Jasmine Carson and La’Dazhia Williams, Mulkey knew she had something special.
But there was a piece missing. That piece was Alexis Morris. The tenacious, passionate hooper took the country by storm after holding this team together towards the back end of the season. Mulkey took a chance on Morris after bringing her back and that chance paid dividends. The special coaching mind she attains is second to none, putting it all together like a puzzle.
What’s Next?
It’s easy to look at the roster construction and think this team can go back-to-back, especially with Coach Mulkey controlling the moves like a CEO, and it’s hard to argue that. The Tigers are in the running for All-American Aneesah Morrow who is fresh off of a visit to LSU as they look to add another transfer or two.
Morrow will visit South Carolina next weekend before making a decision where she will choose between LSU, USC and the Gamecocks.
But Mulkey is creating a new narrative in Baton Rouge. She’s a culture fit. A Louisiana native, she’s making her home state proud while navigating a new era with the Tigers.
As the Hall of Famer continues building a monster, the sky’s the limit for what this program can achieve as long as Mulkey is in control.
