It’s not enough for South Carolina guard MiLaysia Fulwiley to push the tempo in transition. She blows by two Clemson defenders, fakes a pass and finishes the layup. A few sequences later, she crosses up a defender and drops a no-look dime to forward Ashlyn Watkins.
Too skilled. Too fast. Too good.
Many plays for Fulwiley have been identical to this in her freshman season, and she continues to amaze as the Gamecocks prepare for their national semifinal game against NC State at the women’s Final Four in Cleveland. The Columbia, South Carolina, native reflected on the season, her impact on the game, NIL deals and more.
There are moments of realization for everyone, an “a-ha” moment. What was yours in terms of knowing that ‘I’m a hooper and on top of that, I’m nice with it.’ When did that come into play for you?
It came into play in my younger days when I first started playing basketball and I hit a 3-pointer. My first 3-pointer was when I realized ‘I’m actually tough’ because I used to play with the boys. When I finally scored, I was like ‘OK, I might actually be good.’ Then the next year, I started to lead the team and that’s when I realized that I’m a hooper for real, this is the sport I want to play and have fun playing it.
As a seventh grader, you moved up to varsity, won a championship, and you were recruited by South Carolina. What was that like as a seventh grader?
I didn’t understand what was really going on. I was just playing basketball, but I think [South Carolina coach] Dawn [Staley] heard about me. She heard about one of my games when I was in seventh grade, and I got moved up from middle school. I was just playing just to win a championship, but I was opening eyes for not only Dawn but other coaches. So, I was very happy and excited. I thought my offers would come in high school but to get them in seventh grade, I was just blessed. It changed my whole life. It changed my whole perspective of things. Everyone was cheering and rooting for me ever since I got my offer from Dawn. It just made everything brighter, and it turned my life up a little bit.
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Where did you get your handles from and who did you pattern your game after?
My handles, I think they came naturally for me. Just dribbling the ball each and every day. I used to play basketball on my porch with no goals, so I just dribbled a lot. As far as my style of play, I used to watch a whole lot of videos on YouTube, mixtapes and I’d just try to re-create the moves on the court. The behind-the-back move I do a lot, I got that from [Los Angeles Lakers forward] LeBron [James] and watching highlights when I was younger. I’d watch basketball a lot and then try to re-create it in my yard.
You mentioned LeBron. Is there anyone else in these tapes that you shape your game after or looked up to?
The behind-the-back moves is what I got from LeBron but as far as looking up to any NBA athlete, I’ll say Stephen Curry the most. Considering the fact that I’m signed under him and he does some great things not only with the basketball but within the basketball community. I played for him and got to know him a lot while going to his camp. Just being signed to him means a lot to me just knowing he chose me to be the first Curry Brand girl.
You mentioned Steph’s camp and his work ethic. What else have you learned from him during this experience?
I learned a lot. The camp was very amazing. I was kind of nervous to talk to him. I remember watching him practice and making all of his shots. I remember him telling us it’s not about how long you practice, it’s about what you do in those practices and how efficient you are. I just took that away from the experience.
When I go inside the gym and work out, I make sure I’m actually going in there and putting in the work, and not being in there for a whole lot of hours, because 30 minutes is the same as two hours if you’re not really doing anything. That’s one thing I remember him saying. When you get in the gym, use your time wisely. Go strong, go fast, and go hard.
In addition to Curry Brand, you are also signed with Red Bull. What’s drawing these brands to you?
I think it’s just me being myself. Ever since I started being on social media and started playing basketball, I’ve always been myself. I’ve never portrayed to be anything but myself. I think they like how authentic I am, how real and how cool I am. I think I’m a good partner to partner with, and I’m so grateful that all these companies are giving me the opportunity to sign under them. I think me and Red Bull just clicked as soon as I talked to them. My sports management team gave them ideas and Red Bull accepted me, and I’m just blessed to see what we have in store.
Coming out of high school, top prospects are expected to start. How did you process coming off the bench?
I knew what we had before I got here. I just stayed the course, listened and just did anything my team needed me to do. When I knew I wasn’t starting — which I already assumed I wasn’t starting — it gave more fuel to my gas tank and made me work a little bit harder. Being a top player in high school and coming into college is humbling. I feel like I got very humbled and just understanding that playing with other great players would not go exactly how you want, but take your time and your time will come.
You won a lot in high school, but what is it like in terms of the pressure and the lights being brighter in your first March Madness appearance?
It’s totally different from high school, I can say that. Getting ready for a state championship is totally different from getting ready for a national championship. I feel like the lights are very bright. Everyone around the world is watching. So, you have that feeling that you want to do whatever possible to help your team win. The individual performances will come. If they don’t and you win, it doesn’t matter. I go out there and try to win and I think I’ve been doing a good job of that. Going out there and doing whatever my team needs me to do has been my mindset since March started.
You are a one-woman highlight reel. What goes through your mind when you make these incredible plays? Is it instinct? How deep does your bag go?
If I ever do a move, it’s because I have to. I got away from doing moves for no reason. Now, I think all the moves I do I have to use them. They [defenses] force me to dig inside my bag. That’s when I realized that my bag is really deep.
When I get cut off, I do another move. When a big comes and helps, I do another move. As far as how deep my bag gets, I think it’s gets very deep. I have tricks I haven’t even pulled out yet. I play smart and I go off of my instincts, and I have my best highlights in the world when I don’t think about them.
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The Gamecocks could be the ninth team in NCAA women’s basketball history to run the table and be an undefeated champion. What will it take to get it done?
I feel like we need to do the same thing we’ve been doing. Don’t jinx ourselves and look ahead. Just take it game by game and day by day. I think that’s what we’ve been doing a good job with. We’re trying to get through each game and we don’t downplay any team. If we follow Coach Staley’s lead and do everything she wants us to do, we might have a chance to make history for South Carolina. We have a chance to do it and I’ve very excited for that.
What is your biggest takeaway from your freshman season and what have you learned under Coach Staley about yourself?
My biggest takeaway from this season so far is probably just being poised at all times because I tend to get rattled up, get angry, and mad at the refs. It throws my game off. This team and this coach taught me how to stay poised and calm.
Off the court, she taught me how to be a better woman and just handle my business. She emphasizes that a lot. Handle your business. Get your business done, so you won’t have to worry about it when you step on the court. I’ve been doing good with that and I’m just blessed to have a coach like her.
The women’s game as a whole is growing on the collegiate level and the WNBA. New fans are starting to tap in. What do you wish people knew about the women’s game?
That it just didn’t get to where it is over a year and we’ve been working hard for it to get where it is. I feel like people should stop downplaying it like last year was the only reason we’re succeeding and our numbers are going up, and all of us is playing a big role in the numbers. I want people to know that we still want more and we’re coming.
