LSU Women’s Basketball 2026-27: Plenty of Firepower, but Depth Is a Concern

LSU women’s basketball gets its 2026-27 season underway tomorrow when the Tigers host Southeastern Louisiana in the PMAC. While LSU is unlikely to match last year’s blistering start with eight consecutive 100-point games, this year’s team is well-equipped for another big season under coach Kim Mulkey, her sixth at LSU.

The biggest concern right now is depth. Portal departures and roster limitations have left the Tigers with just 11 players, and injuries have further limited Mulkey’s available options. Still, the talent is there. LSU scored 159 points in an exhibition blowout of UNT Dallas and followed that with a 119-54 victory over Loyola of New Orleans.

Mulkey usually settles on no more than nine players in her regular rotation. As long as the Tigers avoid further significant injuries, the depth should hold up.

Guard Mikaylah Williams returns for her senior season after emerging as a star in her own right last year. She will team with fellow seniors MiLaysia Fulwiley and Iowa State transfer Jada Williams to form a strong backcourt. The forward positions will feature sophomores Grace Knox and ZaKiyah Johnson, while the depth and rotation will take shape as the season progresses.

Highly touted international additions Noa Morro and Anna Minaeva should provide an important boost as they become available and get up to speed. Morro, a 6-3 senior from Spain, underwent surgery in September for a stress fracture in her shin and is expected to remain out until potentially late November. Once healthy, she could develop into a force inside, bringing valuable international professional experience to the Tigers.

Minaeva is the 6-5, 17-year-old Russian freshman prodigy who will need time to acclimate to the physical play of the SEC. After missing LSU’s first exhibition with a quadriceps injury, she made her debut against Loyola on Thursday and showed promise with 10 points and five rebounds. Her ceiling is high and her talent unquestioned. Ultimately, she could help make up for the loss of Kate Koval, whose late departure leaves LSU without an experienced post player.

Koval, a Ukrainian whose father serves in the military defending her homeland against Russia, said the addition of Minaeva played a significant role in her decision to leave LSU. She improved as last season progressed, and her presence will be missed.

This LSU team will rely heavily on its perimeter players and probably use more small-ball lineups. Mikaylah Williams stepped up her game last season and will now be one of the team’s primary leaders. She averaged 14.2 points and 5.3 rebounds, with those figures ranking third on the team. At 6-0, she can even play down low when needed and reminds fans of Seimone Augustus with her versatile play.

Fulwiley should blossom further in her second year in Mulkey’s system, particularly if she can cut down on her turnovers. Her defensive intensity and breakneck style are perfect for a system that thrives on creating transition opportunities. On top of that, she had her best three-point shooting season (32.6%) and led the returning Tigers with a 14.6 scoring average.

Jada Williams, who steps in following the departure of Jada Richard, is similarly gifted and brings considerable experience as a true point guard. She averaged 15.3 points and 7.7 assists at Iowa State last season, earning first-team All-Big 12 honors. That kind of proven playmaking ability should be a tremendous asset alongside Mikaylah Williams and Fulwiley.

Backing them up is more experience. Transfers Laila Reynolds, a senior from Florida, and Chloe Larry, a junior from Tennessee Tech, can step in and provide dependable minutes. Mulkey may also use highly touted 6-2 freshman Lola Lampley on the perimeter, although her size and athleticism could make her part of the frontcourt rotation. Lampley scored 16 points in the exhibition victory over Loyola.

Knox and Johnson give the Tigers one of the SEC’s top sophomore duos after impressive freshman seasons. Johnson, who made the All-SEC Freshman Team, could spend more time on the perimeter as Morro and Minaeva begin getting minutes inside. She averaged 9.7 points and 5.6 rebounds last year and scored 22 in Thursday’s exhibition. Knox is an athletic workhorse whose determination on the offensive boards is perhaps her best asset.

Meghan Yarnevich also figures into the competition for minutes. She looks improved entering her second season but played sparingly last year and will have to fight hard to get on the floor. She’s also working her way back after entering concussion protocol following a recent car accident.

Mulkey knows her young players, especially the forwards, will have to grow up fast. The nonconference schedule is considerably tougher than last season’s, with games against Villanova, NC State and North Carolina among the early challenges. And while depth remains a concern, this team has the experience, athleticism and firepower to make another Final Four run.