Breaking Away: MiLaysia Fulwiley Shines as Team USA Topples South Carolina Stars

In a moment that blurred the line between past alliances and present ambitions, MiLaysia Fulwiley stepped onto the court wearing the red, white, and blue of Team USA and delivered a statement performance. She wasn’t just playing for national pride—she was showing the basketball world what happens when talent, confidence, and opportunity converge.

Facing off against her former South Carolina teammates in a highly anticipated Team USA showcase, Fulwiley led a spirited charge, outshining players with whom she once shared the court in Columbia. The display, billed as an exhibition match ahead of the summer international tour, turned into a symbolic passing of the torch and perhaps even a prelude to a changing of the guard in women’s basketball.

MiLaysia Fulwiley has always possessed an electric style. From her breakout freshman season at South Carolina to her viral handles and jaw-dropping passes, she’s been described as a blend of flash and finesse, a point guard with the scoring instincts of a seasoned pro.

But what she did during the Team USA display transcended mere highlight reels. Fulwiley not only dominated statistically—dropping 25 points, dishing out seven assists, and grabbing five rebounds—but she also dictated the pace, set the tone defensively, and scored crucial baskets when momentum threatened to swing in favor of her former teammates.

“She looked like the most complete player on the floor,” said ESPN analyst Rebecca Lobo. “This wasn’t just about skill. It was poise, leadership, and maturity—she looked like she belonged on that Team USA roster from day one.”

Her Team USA coach echoed that sentiment. “MiLaysia played like someone who’s been waiting for this moment her entire life. And she didn’t just meet expectations—she crushed them.”

What made the performance more captivating was the setting. Fulwiley lined up against players she had practiced with daily just months earlier. Raven Johnson, Bree Hall, and Kamilla Cardoso—stalwarts of South Carolina’s powerhouse lineup—now stood as her opponents. The familiarity was evident from the opening tip, as the two sides traded friendly banter, subtle grins, and fierce competitiveness.

“It felt weird, for sure,” Fulwiley admitted postgame. “Those are my sisters. We’ve been through battles together. But once the ball is tipped, it’s all about competing. I had to show what I’ve been working on.”

South Carolina’s players returned the respect. Raven Johnson, who battled Fulwiley for most of the game, said, “She’s a dog. We already knew that when she was with us. But tonight, she reminded the world.”

The game was tight for three quarters. South Carolina’s players, repping an All-Star collegiate squad assembled for the exhibition, matched Team USA shot for shot. Cardoso dominated inside with 18 points and 12 rebounds. Hall drained threes from the corner. But as the game wore on, it became clear that Fulwiley’s burst, vision, and tenacity were wearing them down.

With five minutes left and the score tied, Fulwiley took over. She blew past her defender for a layup, nailed a pull-up three, and then delivered a no-look assist to her teammate cutting backdoor. In the span of 90 seconds, she turned a stalemate into a separation—and the game never flipped back.

Perhaps the most compelling subplot of this story is the transition Fulwiley has made—from being nurtured by South Carolina’s Dawn Staley to competing in the same circles as her mentor.

Staley, who has long coached both South Carolina and Team USA (though not concurrently in this exhibition), has championed Fulwiley’s growth from the beginning. “She’s one of the most gifted guards I’ve ever coached,” Staley said last season. “But she’s still scratching the surface of what she can become.”

It was Staley who gave Fulwiley the freedom to be herself in Columbia—a rare decision for a program known for discipline and system-based execution. That trust paid off in spurts during Fulwiley’s freshman campaign, particularly in big-game moments where her flair changed the tide. But with South Carolina loaded with veterans and established stars, Fulwiley often shared the spotlight.

Now, with Team USA, she has the stage largely to herself.

And that transition—from promising young star in Staley’s system to centerpiece on a national squad—mirrors the evolution of her game. She’s no longer just a spark plug off the bench or a YouTube sensation. She’s a leader, a floor general, and a threat from anywhere on the court.

Fulwiley’s breakout performance comes at a pivotal moment for USA Basketball. With a new wave of talent preparing for the next Olympic cycle, there’s an open lane for players like her to grab the reins. Veterans like Sue Bird and Diana Taurasi have passed the torch, while Breanna Stewart and A’ja Wilson are firmly established. But the guard position, particularly at the point, is due for a new face.

Enter MiLaysia Fulwiley.

She’s quick enough to blow by elite defenders, savvy enough to orchestrate half-court sets, and fearless in crunch time. More importantly, she has the charisma and cultural cachet to represent the future of women’s basketball.

“She brings something we haven’t seen since the early days of Skylar Diggins or even Allen Iverson, if you want to go that far,” said longtime scout Tina Harper. “It’s swagger with substance. And USA Basketball needs that energy right now.”

Her chemistry with fellow young players like Juju Watkins and Kiki Rice—both also playing well in the showcase—has also been a revelation. The trio could form the foundation of a dominant next-generation core for Team USA.

Back home in Columbia, South Carolina fans had mixed feelings. Watching Fulwiley dismantle their favorites may have stung in the moment, but most expressed pride more than anything.

“She’s one of ours,” one fan posted on Twitter. “Even if she’s playing against Gamecocks, we’re still rooting for her to dominate.”

And dominate she did.

The performance not only confirmed her talent—it redefined her narrative. No longer just a player with potential or a complementary piece on a stacked college team, Fulwiley is now seen as a rising star in global basketball.

Her marketability is soaring. NIL brands are lining up. ESPN and CBS Sports have bumped her up on their “Players to Watch” lists for upcoming international tournaments. And with the WNBA now closely watching her development, Fulwiley is emerging as a likely No. 1 overall pick when she declares.

After the final buzzer, Fulwiley met with her former teammates at midcourt. There were hugs, laughs, and photos. But there was also a sense of quiet acknowledgment—she had arrived.

“She was the best player tonight,” Kamilla Cardoso said. “We know what she’s capable of. And she showed everyone else.”

Dawn Staley, who was watching from the crowd and not coaching either team for this event, clapped with visible pride. “That’s what we do at South Carolina,” she told a sideline reporter. “We produce greatness. And MiLaysia is walking proof.”

With the international summer tour approaching, Fulwiley will travel with Team USA to face top national teams from Europe and Asia. It’ll be another proving ground—and a chance for her to assert herself even more.