**University of South Carolina Star Milaysia Fulwiley Named Finalist for the Dawn Staley Award After Setting Historic World Record with Gamecocks**
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In a moment that has sent shockwaves through the college basketball world and etched her name into the annals of sports history, **Milaysia Fulwiley**, the electrifying sophomore guard for the **University of South Carolina Gamecocks**, has been named a **finalist for the prestigious Dawn Staley Award** after **setting a world record during an unforgettable performance** that redefined the boundaries of collegiate basketball.
At just 19 years old, Fulwiley has transformed into one of the most dominant and electrifying forces in women’s college basketball, capturing national headlines with her dazzling ball-handling, elite scoring instincts, and fearless leadership on the court. Now, with her record-setting feat and a place among the finalists for the award named after her very own coach, she’s stepping into a spotlight usually reserved for legends.
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### **The Historic Performance That Shook the World**
On a crisp Thursday evening inside a sold-out Colonial Life Arena, Fulwiley delivered a performance that not only defined the season—it changed history.
In a 112–58 win over SEC rival LSU, Fulwiley tallied:
* **60 points**
* **21 assists**
* **13 rebounds**
* **10 steals**
Becoming the **first player—male or female at the collegiate level—to record a quadruple-double** with 60+ points and 20+ assists. The game sent sports social media into a frenzy and prompted immediate reaction from NBA and WNBA stars, who flooded Twitter (now X) with admiration.
> “That’s not just college greatness. That’s world-class,” tweeted WNBA icon **Sue Bird**.
> “Milaysia Fulwiley is HER. A generational talent,” echoed NBA All-Star **Ja Morant**.
To add to the mystique, Fulwiley pulled off this feat **without turning the ball over once** and shot **71% from the field**, showcasing not only brilliance but efficiency and maturity far beyond her years.
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### **Dawn Staley Reacts: “She Might Be the Best I’ve Ever Coached”**
After the game, Coach **Dawn Staley**—a Hall of Famer, Olympic gold medalist, and the most successful coach in Gamecocks women’s basketball history—was visibly emotional when speaking about Fulwiley’s performance.
> “I’ve coached legends. I’ve seen greatness. But what Milaysia did tonight? That was something else. That was divine,” said Staley. “She’s not just a finalist for the Dawn Staley Award—she’s rewriting what it means to be a guard in this game.”
It was a full-circle moment for Staley. The award, which bears her name, honors the best guard in women’s college basketball each year, recognizing skill, leadership, and toughness. Seeing one of her own players ascend to finalist status is not unusual—but Fulwiley’s trajectory is special.
> “To see a young woman from Columbia do this, in front of her home crowd, wearing South Carolina across her chest—there’s nothing like it,” Staley said.
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### **Milaysia Fulwiley: From Columbia’s Courts to National Stardom**
Born and raised in **Columbia, South Carolina**, Fulwiley is a hometown hero whose journey has been marked by promise, perseverance, and poise. Even in high school, she was heralded as a prodigy—earning **McDonald’s All-American honors** and setting state records that still stand.
When she committed to the University of South Carolina, fans and analysts immediately dubbed her the “next face” of the program, and perhaps of college basketball altogether.
> “This city raised me,” Fulwiley said after the game. “I owe everything to Columbia, to Coach Staley, to my teammates. This isn’t just my win—it’s ours.”
Her confidence has always been magnetic, but this season, it’s her **control and court vision** that have most impressed analysts. Whether it’s her no-look passes in transition, her lethal step-back threes, or the way she elevates her teammates’ performances, Fulwiley is playing like a seasoned pro in only her sophomore year.
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### **The Dawn Staley Award Finalist List: Elite Company**
The **Dawn Staley Award**, established in 2013 by the Phoenix Club of Philadelphia, has honored elite guards such as **Skylar Diggins-Smith**, **Kelsey Plum**, and **Sabrina Ionescu**. The 2025 finalist list is stacked with talent, including:
* **Caitlin Clark (Iowa)** – NCAA all-time scoring leader, known for her logo-range shots
* **Hailey Van Lith (LSU)** – One of the toughest two-way guards in the country
* **JuJu Watkins (USC)** – Freshman phenom and scoring machine
* **Milaysia Fulwiley (South Carolina)** – Historic record-setter and floor general
But even among these giants, Fulwiley’s season stands alone due to her world-record performance and sustained excellence. She’s averaging:
* **25.4 points per game**
* **8.7 assists per game**
* **5.2 rebounds per game**
* **3.4 steals per game**
She leads the NCAA in assists and has the second-highest player efficiency rating (PER) in women’s basketball.
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### **A Symbol of the New Era of Women’s Hoops**
Fulwiley is also at the heart of a cultural shift in the sport. With women’s college basketball surging in popularity—thanks in part to high-profile matchups, NIL deals, and dynamic personalities—Milaysia represents **the new wave**: flashy but efficient, charismatic but composed.
She’s become a fan favorite on TikTok and Instagram, with millions of views of her game highlights and postgame interviews. Her smile, her swagger, and her story make her relatable and inspiring to young athletes across the world.
> “She’s got the handles of Kyrie, the poise of CP3, and the confidence of Kobe,” said ESPN analyst **LaChina Robinson**. “And she’s just getting started.”
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### **The South Carolina Gamecocks: Title Hopes Alive**
Thanks to Fulwiley’s leadership, the **Gamecocks are undefeated (28–0)** and ranked No. 1 in the country heading into the NCAA tournament. The team, loaded with talent including **Kamilla Cardoso**, **Te-Hina Paopao**, and **Raven Johnson**, looks poised for another deep run.
But Fulwiley is their **engine**—the catalyst, the creator, the closer. She has taken over in big moments, whether it’s against Tennessee, Stanford, or LSU, and never once shrunk from the spotlight.
> “She’s not just playing the game. She’s changing it,” Staley said.
With the NCAA tournament approaching, there is growing talk that Fulwiley could lead South Carolina to **another national championship**—and possibly become the youngest player ever to win both the **Dawn Staley Award** and **Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four**.
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### **What’s Next for Milaysia?**
While she’s eligible to declare for the WNBA draft after her junior year, sources close to Fulwiley say she’s in no rush to leave college. She’s focused on legacy, not just headlines. And that means winning championships, mentoring younger players, and growing women’s basketball in her home state.
Her current NIL endorsements include deals with **Nike**, **Gatorade**, **Beats by Dre**, and a recent campaign with **ESPNW** titled *“The Future is Fulwiley.”*
> “My goal is to be remembered not just for how I played, but for how I inspired others,” she said.
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### **Closing Thoughts: A Star in the Making, A Legend in the Making**
Milaysia Fulwiley isn’t just a finalist for the **Dawn Staley Award**. She’s **symbolic of the very future Dawn Staley herself fought to create**—a game where young Black women can lead with fire, grace, and power.
She’s already broken records. She’s already won hearts. But her story is only beginning.
As one fan’s sign read at Colonial Life Arena:
**“History is Her Court.”**
And right now, Milaysia Fulwiley owns it.
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