This offseason, Kim Mulkey hit the transfer portal with two intentions: add depth and add experience.
So Mulkey added three guards out of the transfer portal; Kailyn Gilbert from Arizona, Shayeann Day-Wilson from Miami and Mjracle Sheppard from Mississippi State. In addition, Mulkey secured true freshman Jada Richard from Lafayette Christian Academy.
“Those guys are going to have the ball in their hand,” Mulkey said. “We’ve got five or six that aren’t afraid to wear that, and that’s what you want.”
She also landed a commitment from Arkansas guard/forward, Jersey Wolfenbarger. Wolfenbarger, who stands at 6-foot-5, has the ability to play on the perimeter, although her height will likely be most needed in the paint.
With Angel Reese taking her career to the WNBA, Flau’jae Johnson stepped into the prime leadership role that Reese held in her two seasons in Baton Rouge.
Mulkey had to build around Johnson, as former starting point guard Hailey Van Lith hit the portal herself and transferred to TCU.
Mikaylah Williams is a returning guard, but with just one year of college experience under her belt, more experience was needed.
Not to mention, Williams did not play in LSU’s two exhibition games due to an ankle injury, and Last-Tear Poa has been held out due to off-the-court issues. Poa will not play on Monday in the team’s regular season opener.
But even in the absence of key returners, the depth at the guard position has been on full display through the Tigers’ first two exhibition games.
Johnson has shined in both games. In the first exhibition game against Xavier University of Louisiana, Johnson scored a team-high 30 points along with 10 rebounds and three steals. In the second game against LSU-Alexandria, she scored 29 points along with three assists and five rebounds.
But just as Mulkey intended, the guards around Johnson complemented her. On any given day, it can be any of the newcomers’ day to shine, which is especially crucial when injuries arise like they have to start the season.
In the first exhibition game, Sheppard scored 12 points along with six steals. The addition of Sheppard was meant to bring impressive perimeter defense, as Sheppard also had six steals in Mississippi State’s 77-73 upset win over LSU last season.
“What you saw tonight is what we see every day from Mjracle,” Mulkey said after the win over Xavier. “That was not an exception.”
In the second game, as she scored, it was Gilbert’s turn, scoring 26 points along with five assists and seven rebounds.
“She can score the ball,” Mulkey said. “It may not be a jump shot, it may look flat-footed, but she can score the ball.”
Her performance was even more timely with Sheppard and Day-Wilson not playing, Sheppard due to a stress reaction, which will keep her out a couple of weeks, and Day-Wilson due to a minor hip injury.
Gilbert is most effective shooting from the outside, especially off the dribble.
Day-Wilson showed her ability to facilitate as a true point guard against Xavier, scoring seven points along with four assists.
Richard showed consistency in both matchups. She scored 14 points in her first collegiate matchup, and 14 once again in her second, along with two rebounds and two assists. Richard’s immediate confidence at the collegiate level could serve the Tigers well when more competitive matchups arrive.
Technically the regular season has not started yet, and the guards are already playing fluidly together and finding their roles on both sides of the ball.
Johnson is the “do it all” guard for LSU this season. With other guards able to help her in all aspects of the game, though, along with Johnson making those guards better, LSU might have its chemistry earlier than expected.
“If you play hard in Kim Mulkey’s system, you will be rewarded,” Johnson said. “We got players that are competitors.”
