LSU women’s basketball held its opening practice at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center on Monday afternoon, which was open to the public with free entry for fans.

For many, this was the first chance to see LSU’s star returners. But the curiosity was around the newcomers; its talented freshman class, and No. 1 ranked high school recruiting class.

There was a lot to unpack at the PMAC on Monday, and there is a lot that has changed and will change within the LSU women’s basketball program.

“Everything is really going to be different, and all of that is a good thing,” Mulkey said. “We’ll just have to stay away from injuries, and we’ll see what happens.”

Here are some of the takeaways from LSU’s opening practice.

This season’s team has considerably more depth

Last season’s team was a national champion caliber team, but there was one thing they lacked: depth. The 2022-23 team ran a consistent seven to eight players through the postseason, but coming into the 2023-24 season, 11 to 12 players have a considerable chance to see consistent playing time.

“I can’t do it by myself,” Angel Reese said last season against Tennessee.

In that game, Reese was the only player able to consistently produce. 

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Scenarios like that may come up this season, but this Tiger team has the numbers and to resort to other options.

Mulkey has the numbers to run several different starting fives, though we won’t find out what that consistent starting five will be for some time. Mulkey has the option to run a smaller height starting five, a taller starting five, a shooter-heavy starting five, or a defensive-heavy starting five.

This Tigers may not be a team where they have to find their identity, because their identity may be one that changes based on the challenges thrown their way.

“The talent is there,” Mulkey said. “We can score the ball from a lot of positions…got a good mix of returning players and newcomers.”

Hailey Van Lith is an extremely valuable addition

Van Lith was one of the top prospects out of the transfer portal in the country. She came to Baton Rouge for her graduate season from the University of Louisville. While she averaged 19.7 points per game along with 4.5 rebounds per game and 3.2 assists per game, what she brings to LSU extends beyond skill on the floor.

In LSU’s first practice of the season, Van Lith ran the point and played the “floor general” role. She has a very similar pass-making ability to Kateri Poole, who often came into games last year solely for that purpose. 

In some ways, Van Lith reflects a similar game to Alexis Morris, although her perimeter shooting may not be as consistent as Morris’. Her passing ability partnered with her ability to make tough shots will be something LSU will most likely need at several points this season.

To come into a new system and immediately take a prime role requires a lot of trust and confidence. Van Lith having that trust from her teammates and the confidence to be a leader will be beneficial from the start of the season.

Much of this confidence comes from her experience. Van Lith is the only senior or graduate senior on the roster. There are several returning players from last season’s national championship team, but experience in handling pressure is something that may be new, and Van Lith has had a spotlight on her for years.

Aneesah Morrow could be the most complete player on the roster

Morrow is another top prospect to come out of the transfer portal. Even before practice, the junior transfer from DePaul was draining three-pointers. At DePaul, though, she was primarily used down low rather than along the perimeter.

If Morrow’s perimeter shooting can translate into a game setting, she can play the role of a swiss-army knife; she can be valuable if Mulkey chooses to use her in the post-game, but also valuable if her perimeter shooting can transfer into a game setting. 

Morrow’s versatility could give her many opportunities to see the floor. Last season at DePaul, she averaged 25.7 points per game along with 12.2 assists per game. 

Aalyah Del Rosario has immense potential when developed

Aalyah Del Rosario gives LSU women’s basketball something they haven’t seen during Kim Mulkey’s time at LSU: height. The true freshman center comes in at 6-foot-6 and will play the role of a true center. 

Of course, being a freshman, making the jump from high school to college with growing pains is evident. In many cases, Del Rosario will be a mismatch in the paint, but her downfall may be her footwork; she doesn’t have the speed of Angel Reese. With proper development, she could be the true center Reese didn’t have last season to complement her game.

Mikaylah Williams is fitting right in

At times throughout LSU’s opening practice, it was difficult to tell Mikaylah Williams was a true freshman. The 6-foot guard from Parkway High School in Bossier City was ranked as the No. 1 player in the Class of 2023, according to three different networks.

Williams should play a similar role of a true shooting guard, similar to Flau’jae Johnson. Johnson and Williams could complement each other in that Johnson’s defense is some of the best on the team, and Williams can gain separation to put up shots.

Overall, Williams may be too good of a talent for Mulkey to leave off the floor, despite being a true freshman. 

“She brings a college, physical body that is already ready for this level,” Mulkey said.