LSU Woman’s Basketball has had a very unique way of practicing. Instead of just going against each other, they practice against a special squad called the Dream Team.
The Dream Team is a practice squad that trains with the LSU Women’s Basketball team. The squad consists of all-male students that use their skills and talents to help prepare the Women’s team for every practice.
Kaylin Rice, an assistant coach with the women’s team, also facilitates the Dream Team. Coach Rice previously worked with Head Coach Kim Mulkey back at Baylor when she was an undergrad, and followed Mulkey in Spring 2021 when she accepted the Head Coach position at LSU. When she was tasked with running the Dream Team, Coach Rice was more than ready to accept the challenge.
“Back then, I believe I was a graduate assistant, I was a G.A. when I was tasked with heading up the Dream Team. It was a fun challenge, I kinda started from scratch and made the process my own on how we wanted to get guys and keep guys on the practice squad.” Rice explained.
Coach Rice tries to find the best guys possible for the Dream Team. In the tryout period, Rice evaluates the talent pool and sets the tone for what she’s looking for.
“We host a tryout in the fall and we’re really just looking for guys that can obviously go and compete with our girls. Somebody could be a really good basketball player but not be a great Dream Team member if they can’t listen, comprehend, and execute what the coaches are trying to get them to do.” Rice said.
In the SEC, LSU competes against bigger and fiercer competition on a weekly basis. With the help of the Dream Team, the women’s team improves their toughness, giving them the best chance to win these hard fought in-conference games.
“We have a roster of 20-22 guys. It’s a wide variety of skill sets. If we’re playing a team that’s super athletic, quick, and gets pressure defensively, we’re going to get those guys that practice that and we’re going to try and emulate it.” Rice explained.
Members of the Dream Team come and go, but Coach Rice still makes an effort to keep in touch and help them succeed in the future.
“Dream Teamers will come see us on the road, check in with us, text us after games, before big games, you name it. Coach Mulkey is quick to write a recommendation letter for these guys who’ve worked really hard for us for years, helping our girls get better and anything we can do to help them in the future, we’re all here for it.
With the help of the Dream Team, The LSU Women’s Basketball Team looks to keep on improving for another run at the National Championship.
