Breaking News: As LSU Tigers star Aalyah Del Rosario declares, “I’m not going anywhere,” excitement erupts at Baton Rouge, Louisiana’s Pete Maravich Assembly Center. After making the brave choice, she is scheduled to return for the 2025–2026 season. Kim Mulkey, the head coach, has pledged to make her the focal point of LSU’s run for the championship.

The deafening roar inside Pete Maravich Assembly Center said it all. LSU fans, coaches, and teammates alike erupted in euphoria on Tuesday night as Aalyah Del Rosario, the heart and soul of the Tigers’ frontcourt, declared in front of a packed crowd, “I’m not going anywhere.”

With those five words, Del Rosario ignited a tidal wave of emotion throughout Baton Rouge. Her declaration marked the end of weeks of speculation about her future. Amid swirling rumors of a potential transfer or early departure, even fueled by a reported $4.5 million NIL offer from powerhouses Notre Dame and Georgia, Del Rosario stood firm. She made her choice — and it was purple and gold.

The decision isn’t just a boost for the LSU Tigers program; it’s a defining moment that could shape the landscape of women’s college basketball for the upcoming 2025–26 season.

The Pete Maravich Assembly Center had been buzzing all week with anticipation. The school teased a “special announcement” from Del Rosario during a post-practice fan event, fueling speculation on social media and in national headlines. When the sophomore forward took the microphone, the building fell into a tense silence — one that was immediately broken by a thunderous cheer as she delivered her now-iconic line.

“I had a lot to consider,” Del Rosario said, her voice cracking with emotion. “But LSU is my home. Coach Mulkey believes in me, and I believe in this team. We’re not done yet.”

Moments later, head coach Kim Mulkey joined her on stage, embracing her with a smile as wide as the Mississippi River. “She made the right decision,” Mulkey said, “because she knows she’s not just a great player — she’s our player. And now the rest of the country is on notice.”

Del Rosario’s return represents more than a star player choosing to stay — it’s the cornerstone of Mulkey’s blueprint for LSU’s next national championship run.

After the Tigers’ 2024–25 season ended in the Elite Eight amid injury woes and roster inconsistencies, Mulkey made it clear the program was entering a new era — one defined by power, chemistry, and continuity. With the graduation of key contributors and the transfer of former McDonald’s All-Americans, there were questions about who would carry the mantle forward.

Del Rosario answered them with authority.

“She’s the most dominant post presence in the country,” Mulkey said. “But what separates Aalyah is her leadership. She’s not just staying — she’s taking ownership. We’re building everything around her this year. Offense. Defense. Culture. Everything.”

Del Rosario arrived in Baton Rouge as one of the most heralded prospects in the nation. A consensus five-star recruit out of The Webb School in Tennessee, she was ranked the No. 1 post player in the Class of 2023. Her decision to join LSU was seen as a massive win for Mulkey, who had already assembled a national championship-winning core.

In her freshman season, Del Rosario was eased into the lineup behind Angel Reese, contributing solid minutes off the bench while adjusting to the physical demands of SEC basketball. But it was her sophomore year that saw her blossom into a full-fledged star. Averaging 15.8 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks per game, she established herself as one of the nation’s premier bigs.

“She’s a walking double-double,” LSU assistant coach Gary Redus said. “But what I admire most is her growth mentally — she studies film like a vet, calls out rotations on defense, and sets the tone in practice every day.”

In an era where high-profile athletes frequently change programs, Del Rosario’s decision is a refreshing — and potentially game-changing — commitment to program loyalty. With the NCAA Transfer Portal at its most active and NIL deals reshaping the power structure of college sports, many expected the sophomore star to chase a bigger offer elsewhere.

Her reported $4.5 million NIL offer was one of the largest ever extended to a women’s college basketball player. Industry insiders noted it included brand partnerships, commercial endorsements, and housing benefits. But Del Rosario ultimately said the emotional value of staying at LSU outweighed any monetary incentive.

“Money comes and goes,” she said, “but a legacy at LSU — that’s forever.”

Del Rosario’s announcement has already reverberated across the women’s basketball landscape. With LSU projected to return several key rotation players and add two top-20 recruits, the Tigers are now a top contender heading into 2025–26.

Analysts at ESPN and The Athletic quickly bumped LSU into the preseason top five, with bracketologists predicting a No. 1 seed in next year’s NCAA Tournament.

“Aalyah Del Rosario staying changes everything,” said ESPN analyst Rebecca Lobo. “She’s the anchor every elite team needs. There are great guards in college basketball right now, but dominant post play is rare — and she provides that.”

While Del Rosario was a vital piece of the puzzle over the last two seasons, this will be her team in every sense next year. Mulkey has already informed the media that Del Rosario will be the primary offensive option, with the offense running through her in the high and low post.

“She’s going to be our centerpiece,” Mulkey reiterated. “We’re designing a system that highlights her versatility — whether she’s scoring inside, facing up, or facilitating out of double teams. She can do it all.”

Del Rosario has also taken it upon herself to grow into the leadership role left vacant by the likes of Reese and Alexis Morris before her.

“It’s my time to lead,” she said. “I’ve learned from the best. Now it’s my turn to set the standard for what it means to wear LSU across your chest.”

Within minutes of her announcement, social media exploded with reactions. LSU stars past and present voiced their support:

• Angel Reese, now in the WNBA, tweeted: “Let’s GOOOOO Aalyah!!! You’re HER. LSU fam forever
• Flau’jae Johnson, Del Rosario’s teammate, posted a video of the moment with the caption: “Y’all in trouble… she stayed.”

National coaches also took notice, with South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley posting a cryptic emoji in response — the eyes emoji  a subtle acknowledgment of the seismic shift in the SEC balance of power.

Del Rosario’s decision could also signal a cultural shift in how athletes view NIL. Her choice to turn down a massive financial offer in favor of team loyalty and legacy sends a message that money doesn’t always trump meaning.

“She could’ve taken the bag and run,” said LSU athletic director Scott Woodward. “But she stayed because of the values she was raised with — loyalty, commitment, and pride in what we’re building.”

Her NIL representation confirmed that Del Rosario is still expected to earn seven figures in Baton Rouge through local endorsements and LSU’s robust NIL collective.

“She’s doing just fine financially,” her agent said, “but this was never about chasing the highest bidder. It was about being part of something bigger.”

With Del Rosario committed, LSU’s offseason now turns to rounding out the roster. Several portal targets are expected to visit campus in the coming weeks, and Del Rosario’s decision could sway some high-level recruits and transfers to join her.

“We’ve got some big pieces still coming,” Mulkey teased. “But we’ve already got the biggest one.”

LSU’s 2025–26 non-conference schedule is expected to include matchups with UConn, Stanford, and a rematch with Iowa, setting the stage for Del Rosario to shine under the national spotlight.

As the crowd at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center began to file out, the impact of Del Rosario’s words still lingered. In a time when loyalty often takes a backseat to opportunity, one of the brightest stars in college basketball chose to stay rooted.

“Let’s finish what we started,” Del Rosario said as she walked off stage.

And with that, LSU’s national title aspirations were reborn — led by a young woman who chose legacy over leverage, home over hype, and a championship dream over a check.