{"id":16064,"date":"2025-04-15T16:26:40","date_gmt":"2025-04-15T16:26:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newssoccer.uk\/?p=16064"},"modified":"2025-04-15T16:26:40","modified_gmt":"2025-04-15T16:26:40","slug":"breaking-news-excitement-fills-colonial-life-arena-in-columbia-south-carolina-as-south-carolina-gamecocks-star-guard-milaysia-fulwiley-announces-im-not-going-anywhere-sh","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newssoccer.uk\/?p=16064","title":{"rendered":"BREAKING NEWS: Excitement fills Colonial Life Arena in Columbia, South Carolina as South Carolina Gamecocks star Guard MiLaysia Fulwiley announces, \u201cI\u2019m not going anywhere.\u201d she is set to return for the 2025-26 season after making the bold decision. Head coach Dawn Staley has promised to make her a\u2026"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2>BREAKING NEWS: Excitement Fills Colonial Life Arena as MiLaysia Fulwiley Announces Return for 2025-26 Season<\/h2>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>In a stunning and emotional announcement that sent shockwaves through the world of women\u2019s college basketball, South Carolina Gamecocks star guard MiLaysia Fulwiley electrified fans at Colonial Life Arena by declaring, \u201cI\u2019m not going anywhere.\u201d The statement confirmed that the rising junior phenom will be returning for the 2025-26 season, thrilling Gamecock Nation and cementing her legacy as one of the program\u2019s most iconic players.<\/p>\n<div class=\"code-block code-block-1\">\n<div id=\"HB_Footer_Close_hbagency_space_70689\">\n<div id=\"HB_OUTER_hbagency_space_70689\">\n<div id=\"hbagency_space_70689\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>The atmosphere inside the arena was nothing short of electric as Fulwiley, flanked by her teammates and head coach Dawn Staley, took center court to deliver the announcement. Cheers erupted and chants of \u201cOne more year!\u201d turned into deafening roars as the Columbia native reaffirmed her commitment to her hometown team.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis is my home. This is my family. I\u2019m not done here,\u201d Fulwiley said, holding back tears. \u201cI\u2019ve got unfinished business with this jersey on. We\u2019re chasing greatness, and I want to be right here when we get there.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"code-block code-block-4\">\n<div id=\"HB_Footer_Close_hbagency_space_193039\">\n<div id=\"HB_CLOSE_hbagency_space_193039\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>The announcement comes after weeks of speculation about Fulwiley\u2019s future. With her stock rising and professional opportunities on the horizon, many believed the dynamic guard might take her talents to the WNBA or explore other ventures. However, her decision to stay speaks volumes about her loyalty to the program and the unbreakable bond she\u2019s built with the university and its passionate fanbase.<a href=\"https:\/\/utdeveningnews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/81b700b19a9f7b1ec61d306a995f6a48.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-3510 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/utdeveningnews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/81b700b19a9f7b1ec61d306a995f6a48.png\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 739px) 100vw, 739px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/utdeveningnews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/81b700b19a9f7b1ec61d306a995f6a48.png 739w, https:\/\/utdeveningnews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/81b700b19a9f7b1ec61d306a995f6a48-300x168.png 300w\" alt=\"\" width=\"739\" height=\"415\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Sources close to the program have confirmed that Fulwiley\u2019s return is being bolstered by a landmark NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) deal worth a reported $5.2 million\u2014one of the largest in women\u2019s college basketball history. The endorsement deal includes partnerships with major brands and will serve as a game-changing move not just for Fulwiley but for the broader landscape of women\u2019s sports.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>But perhaps even more compelling is the personal growth behind the scenes. Fulwiley and Coach Dawn Staley recently reconciled after what insiders described as a \u201cchallenging but respectful misunderstanding\u201d earlier this season. Both parties emphasized that the rift was never about loyalty, but about communication and expectations.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>\u201cSometimes, you have to go through things to grow,\u201d Coach Staley said during the press conference. \u201cMiLaysia and I sat down, face to face, heart to heart. We\u2019re stronger because of it. And I promise you this\u2014she\u2019s going to be the centerpiece of what we\u2019re building next season.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Fulwiley, known for her dazzling ball-handling, fearless drives, and court vision, averaged 18.7 points, 5.3 assists, and 4.6 rebounds during the 2024-25 season. With her return, the Gamecocks are expected to be top contenders once again for the national title.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The news is already sending ripples through the basketball community, with social media lighting up in support and excitement. Fans, alumni, and analysts alike are calling Fulwiley\u2019s return a \u201cculture-shifting moment\u201d for women\u2019s college hoops.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>As the arena lights dimmed and Fulwiley walked off the court, one thing was clear\u2014this story is far from over. For MiLaysia Fulwiley and the South Carolina Gamecocks, the best may still be yet to come.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>BREAKING NEWS: Excitement Fills Colonial Life Arena as MiLaysia Fulwiley Announces Return for 2025-26 Season &nbsp; In a stunning and emotional announcement that sent shockwaves through the world of women\u2019s college basketball, South Carolina Gamecocks star guard MiLaysia Fulwiley electrified fans at Colonial Life Arena by declaring, \u201cI\u2019m not going anywhere.\u201d The statement confirmed that [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":16065,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[165],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-16064","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-american-football"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"featured_image_urls":{"full":["https:\/\/newssoccer.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/81b700b19a9f7b1ec61d306a995f6a48.webp",739,415,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/newssoccer.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/81b700b19a9f7b1ec61d306a995f6a48-150x150.webp",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/newssoccer.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/81b700b19a9f7b1ec61d306a995f6a48-300x168.webp",300,168,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/newssoccer.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/81b700b19a9f7b1ec61d306a995f6a48.webp",739,415,false],"large":["https:\/\/newssoccer.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/81b700b19a9f7b1ec61d306a995f6a48.webp",739,415,false],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/newssoccer.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/81b700b19a9f7b1ec61d306a995f6a48.webp",739,415,false],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/newssoccer.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/81b700b19a9f7b1ec61d306a995f6a48.webp",739,415,false],"jnews-360x180":["https:\/\/newssoccer.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/81b700b19a9f7b1ec61d306a995f6a48-360x180.webp",360,180,true],"jnews-750x375":["https:\/\/newssoccer.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/81b700b19a9f7b1ec61d306a995f6a48-739x375.webp",739,375,true],"jnews-1140x570":["https:\/\/newssoccer.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/81b700b19a9f7b1ec61d306a995f6a48.webp",739,415,false],"jnews-120x86":["https:\/\/newssoccer.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/81b700b19a9f7b1ec61d306a995f6a48-120x86.webp",120,86,true],"jnews-350x250":["https:\/\/newssoccer.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/81b700b19a9f7b1ec61d306a995f6a48-350x250.webp",350,250,true],"jnews-750x536":["https:\/\/newssoccer.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/81b700b19a9f7b1ec61d306a995f6a48.webp",739,415,false],"jnews-1140x815":["https:\/\/newssoccer.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/81b700b19a9f7b1ec61d306a995f6a48.webp",739,415,false],"jnews-360x504":["https:\/\/newssoccer.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/81b700b19a9f7b1ec61d306a995f6a48-360x415.webp",360,415,true],"jnews-75x75":["https:\/\/newssoccer.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/81b700b19a9f7b1ec61d306a995f6a48-75x75.webp",75,75,true],"jnews-350x350":["https:\/\/newssoccer.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/81b700b19a9f7b1ec61d306a995f6a48-350x350.webp",350,350,true],"jnews-featured-750":["https:\/\/newssoccer.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/81b700b19a9f7b1ec61d306a995f6a48.webp",739,415,false],"jnews-featured-1140":["https:\/\/newssoccer.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/81b700b19a9f7b1ec61d306a995f6a48.webp",739,415,false]},"author_info":{"display_name":"Newssoccer","author_link":"https:\/\/newssoccer.uk\/?author=1"},"category_info":"<a 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