MiLaysia Fulwiley has ignited a firestorm across the college basketball world — and this time, it has nothing to do with her game.

In a jaw-dropping interview that’s now making waves online, the South Carolina native urged her hometown fans to continue supporting her… just moments after publicly pledging her loyalty to LSU. The plea was meant to be heartfelt — but instead, it’s being labeled as delusional, tone-deaf, and downright insulting by fans who once cheered her every move.

“I still need my people back home to ride with me. This is still for y’all,” Fulwiley said in the interview, smiling confidently. But for many, that smile might as well have been a slap in the face.

Social media erupted instantly. South Carolina fans — especially die-hard Gamecock supporters — called out Fulwiley for trying to have it both ways: defecting to a rival school while clinging to the love and loyalty of the community she just walked away from.

“She wants us to cheer for her in purple and gold? She’s lost her mind,” one furious fan posted.

“This interview feels like betrayal sugarcoated with fake gratitude,” another wrote. “She’s gone, and she wants to take our support with her.”

The backlash has reached a boiling point, with critics saying Fulwiley’s comments show a lack of respect for the jersey she once wore and the people who stood behind her. Many say she’s playing both sides — asking for adoration from the same crowd she blindsided with her decision to jump ship.

Worse still, her attempt at diplomacy is being viewed as manipulation. “She made a business move. That’s fine. But don’t beg for loyalty from the fans you just abandoned,” one longtime fan said bluntly.

As the fallout grows louder, Fulwiley remains silent — for now. But her legacy in South Carolina may have just shifted from hometown hero… to public enemy.

Whether she realizes it or not, this interview may haunt her far longer than any rivalry on the court.

Dawn Staley Sends Message to South Carolina Players’ Major Life Update

Dawn Staley is staying busy this spring as she shifts her focus toward summer preparations with the South Carolina Gamecocks. The Hall of Fame coach has been active on the recruiting trail, diving into the transfer portal while also promoting her new book on tour.

It’s graduation season across the country, and many college basketball players are completing their degrees. Some are returning for a final season on the court.

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Staley recently sent a heartfelt message to two of her players who graduated Saturday. One will return for another season with South Carolina, while the other is heading to a new destination for 2025–26.

“THE @GamecockWBB GRADUATES! Congrats to @HollywoodRaven @SakimaWalker for finishing the academic race…degree them! I love this part more than anyone will ever know,” Staley posted.

Raven Johnson and Sakima Walker both earned their undergraduate degrees. Johnson is returning to play one more season with the Gamecocks, while Walker is transferring to finish her career with the California Golden Bears.

Johnson was part of the Gamecocks that won the title in 2022 and 2024, although she missed all but two games in the 2021-22 season due to a knee injury. In Columbia, she appeared in 114 games and started all 39 last season. A former Naismith Prep Player of the Year, Johnson starred at Westlake High School in Atlanta.

South Carolina Gamecocks coach Dawn Staley. Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Walker joined South Carolina after two under-the-radar seasons at Rutgers. In her two seasons with the Gamecocks, she played in 46 games and made one start. She averaged 1.8 points per game.

As Staley heads into her 18th season at the helm, South Carolina remains a powerhouse in women’s college basketball. Under her leadership, the Gamecocks have reached at least the Final Four five years in a row, with three appearances in the national championship game.