When Angel Reese transferred to LSU in 2022, she immediately transformed the team. And the next year, she led the Tigers to their first-ever NCAA national championship in 2023. Not just that—she even set an NCAA single-season record with 34 double-doubles.“What a remarkable two years it has been. We are all indebted to Angel Reese for the contributions she has given to this program,” Mulkey expressed. And honestly, averaging 20.9 points with 14.4 rebounds per game, she deserved every bit of the praise she got. But she wasn’t the only forward leading the line for LSU.
Joining her was Aneesah Morrow, who quickly established herself as a dominant force, too. In fact, when Reese left for the W, Morrow was the one who took her place. She averaged 18.7 points and led the nation with 13.5 rebounds per game in her senior year. Not just that—she also recorded 30 double-doubles, the second-most in LSU’s history. A year since then, and Morrow, too, is ready to transition to the W.
“You wish you had Aneesah every time you walked on a court every day because you knew what you were getting from her and her effort. It didn’t matter how banged up she was, how hurt she felt. Nees only knows how to play, and that’s hard,” Mulkey shared, expressing the void Morrow has created. Every word she said was felt, especially considering Morrow recently made history in the Sweet 16 game against NC State.
She delivered a performance with 30 points and 19 rebounds, becoming only the second SEC player in the past 25 years to record at least 30 points and 15 rebounds in an NCAA tournament game—joining former teammate Angel Reese. So, it makes sense that her departure would leave a serious void. But Kim Mulkey is already preparing for the upcoming season.
She knows that preparation for the future starts today—and she’s putting the plan into action. As one of the top recruiters in collegiate basketball, she’s making a push for LSU, targeting forwards to fill out the roster. And guess what? She’s already managed to add two. Notre Dame’s freshman Kate Koval and East Carolina’s Amiya Joyner. “Having recruited Kate out of high school, we are very aligned in our vision for her personal development and the impact she can have on our program,” Mulkey expressed.
But still, the LSU head coach isn’t fully satisfied—she’s vying for a big fish.
According to several reports, former Wisconsin star Serah Williams is visiting LSU. Notably, she’s one of the top forwards in the portal, with 89 career starts under her belt. No doubt, she would be a huge addition for the Tigers and could successfully take up the forward throne at LSU.
#LSU is currently hosting Wisconsin transfer Serah Williams on campus through tomorrow.
The 6’4 forward averaged 19.2 points 9.8 rebounds, and 2.4 blocks per game last season.
Williams is one of the top forwards in the portal and would be a HUGE addition for the Tigers pic.twitter.com/iU35tBcTL6
— The Jordy Culotta Show (@CulottaShow) April 17, 2025
Just like Morrow and Reese, Williams has been a force on both sides of the court. Even during her three years at Wisconsin, she averaged 16.2 points with 8.6 rebounds per game. Not just that—she also led the Big Ten in blocks as a freshman and sophomore. So, no doubt, Williams could be a similar difference-maker.
Especially since Mulkey’s system relies on LSU having a dominant force in the post.
But she won’t be alone.
A completely new outlook is incoming from LSU!
While the forward game is pretty clear, Kim Mulkey also has one of the best backcourts in the SEC heading into the upcoming season. And at the heart of it lie two of the standout players she has—Flau’jae Johnson and Mikaylah Williams. Yes, despite being eligible for the WNBA draft, both stayed loyal to LSU.
“I remember when I took the LSU job, Flau’jae Johnson was the first McDonald’s All-American that I signed at LSU. I had not coached and won anything at LSU, and she came to LSU. So she jump-started our program, really… I’m forever indebted to Flau’jae Johnson,” expressed Kim Mulkey when she learned about Flau’jae’s return for her senior year.
And well, there’s a reason for that. Just look at her NCAA tournament performance this season—she averaged 20.5 points per game with a 58.3% field goal percentage. All of this reflects Johnson’s ability to perform under pressure, making her an invaluable asset to the team. And yes, she’s not alone.
Complementing her is Mikaylah Williams, who averaged nearly 17.3 points along with 4.5 rebounds per game. Her consistent shooting and playmaking abilities perfectly complement Johnson’s style, creating a dynamic and versatile backcourt duo. “She is a hard worker that wants to do good,” expressed Mulkey.
LSU head coach Kim Mulkey during a women’s college basketball game between the Lady Vols and LSU at Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center on Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025.
And above all, Williams has learned from the team’s veterans. “I’m still learning. I’m only a sophomore, so I’ve learned so much from Nees, I’ve learned so much from Flau’jae,” she shared. “So I just continue to take those things, learn, and then hopefully when we come back again, I’ll have better decisions and better knowledge of what to do in those certain times.”
It’s this synergy between the two players that provides LSU with a potent offensive threat and a solid defensive presence. If the team can pair this backcourt tandem with a group of dynamic forwards, they will be well-positioned to compete for a national championship. So what do you think? Will Mulkey get to complete her strategy with Williams headlining?
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