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Predicting LSU women's basketball's starting lineup for the 2026 season
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- Predicting LSU women's basketball's starting lineup for the 2026 season
LSU women's basketball retained key contributors from last year and added highly-touted transfers to its 2026-27 roster. Head coach Kim Mulkey likely has herself another perennial powerhouse squad entering her sixth season at the helm.
Mikaylah Williams and MiLaysia Fulwiley return for likely their final seasons of collegiate basketball. Both played critical roles in all facets for the Tigers in 2025-26 and will be called upon again as seniors.
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The talented duo of Grace Knox and ZaKiyah Johnson made a major impact in their true freshman seasons. Both played vital minutes in starting roles and off the bench. They'll do so again with a year of SEC basketball to their names.
But LSU needed to go into rebuild mode, particularly in its backcourt. Flau'Jae Johnson departed for the WNBA while Jada Richard transferred to Ole Miss, leaving two starting spots open. Bella Hines, who held a critical reserve role, left for TCU.
Mulkey dipped into the transfer portal for guards and signed 2026 five-star recruit Lola Lampley. She is set to lead a competitive offseason with multiple starting and bench roles up for grabs.
Here is a projected starting lineup for LSU women's basketball.
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Guard -- Jada Williams
With her experience and success at point guard, Williams has the starting role all but wrapped up. Mulkey demands leadership and poise at the helm of her offense. Williams, heading into her senior season, cemented herself as a scorer and playmaker throughout her collegiate career.
An All-Big 12 first teamer in 2025-26, Williams averaged 15.3 points, 7.7 assists and 3.5 rebounds. She contributes in all facets, shooting confidently and distributing to her teammates.
Guard -- MiLaysia Fulwiley
This is the year Fulwiley becomes a full-time starter. She carried the LSU offense at times last season and brings a sustained spark on both ends of the court. After two seasons at South Carolina as a reserve, Fulwiley averaged a team-best 14.6 points per game with the Tigers last year. She led the team with 99 steals and 50 blocks.
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Fulwiley will likely compete with Florida transfer Laila Reynolds for the second true guard starting role. Should Fulwiley play more consistent offense and continue improving her defense during the offseason, she should earn a starting role.
Guard -- Mikaylah Williams
Williams comes back as the do-it-all player for the Tigers. Her success is vital to the team making a run at the SEC and NCAA crowns. From ball handling to transition and paint play, the six-foot rising senior excels at every position.
A rising senior, Williams averaged 14.2 points on 50.7% shooting from the field last year. She took a step forward with her defense and shooting confidence, often the go-to hand when LSU needed a bucket.
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Forward -- Grace Knox
Grace Knox made an immediate impact as a true freshman in 2025-26. She averaged 8.8 points and 4.6 rebounds per game. At 6-foot-2, she has the length to compete with the SEC's best forwards. Knox had some big moments last year, including scoring a career high 25-points in December. She hopes to build on a strong year one as a sophomore.
Forward -- Kate Koval
Koval returns as LSU's only true center. Improvements in her post moves and ability to perform around the basket on the offensive end should solidify her starting spot.
After transferring from Notre Dame, Koval needed to fill the role vacated by Aneesah Morrow. Koval returns as the team's best rebounder, averaging 6.3 boards per game. She finished with 8.3 points per game and 43 blocks, second behind Fulwiley.
This article originally appeared on LSU Wire: Predicting LSU women's basketball's starting lineup for the 2026 season
