In a world where elite athletes are defined by their on-court dominance, LSU rising junior Mikaylah Williams reminded everyone that some moments are bigger than basketball. She was one of the Tigers’ best players last season, a relentless force shaped by coach Kim Mulkey’s high standards.
But this week, the biggest play she made had nothing to do with a box score. It involved a choice between team duties and family, a decision that revealed everything about her character.
Why Did Kim Mulkey Let Her Star Player Miss Team Activities?
While Mikaylah Williams’s motto has been, “How you practice is how you play,” since her freshman year, both she and her coach, Kim Mulkey, agreed to pause on basketball this week.
Williams was excused from team activities to be present where it mattered most: her brother’s senior night. Her mom, LaTonya, wrote a heartfelt post on Instagram to celebrate the occasion and explain her daughter’s hectic schedule.
LaTonya detailed her daughter’s packed day, writing, “Did she have classes starting at 8:30 am? Yes! Did she have practice until 3:30 p.m.? Yes! Did she make it to his senior night BEFORE kickoff? Yes! They’re each other’s favorite person❤️ Thank you to LSU Women’s Basketball and Coach Mulkey for excusing her for the night to be here for her brother!”
Mikaylah’s reaction was simple and full of love. She reposted her mom’s message with an emotional caption, “my heartttt,” and added, “Anything For My Bby,” in her story.
Williams was there for her younger brother, Kaleb “KB” Williams, who plays football and basketball at Williams’ alma mater, Parkway High School in Bossier City, Louisiana.
Despite being a one-star recruit, Kaleb has been performing well on the field. In the season opener, he threw for 198 yards and three touchdowns, leading his squad to a 43-13 win. Calm and commanding, Williams looked like a leader his coaches hoped for and a star in the making. It’s no wonder his sister rushed to support him.
The Williams family bond runs deep, especially with sports. Both of Mikaylah’s parents played college basketball, with LaTonya playing at Northwestern State and her father, Patrick, playing at Bossier Parish.
As a former college athlete, LaTonya knows the sacrifices involved and clearly understands the weight of her daughter’s choice to balance practice, class, and family. That’s why the gratitude toward Mulkey was a genuine nod to a coach who values the person as much as the player.
What Makes Mikaylah Williams Such a Special Talent?
Mulkey has recognized Williams’s talent since recruiting her out of Parkway High. As the No. 2 prospect in the country, her freshman season at LSU in 2023 backed up all the hype. She earned SEC Freshman of the Year after averaging 14.5 points, nearly five boards, and almost three assists per game.
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Her incredible season included a legendary 42-point explosion against Kent State, the most points ever scored by a freshman in the NCAA era for LSU. Mulkey, however, knows she can be even better and has not let her forget the standard.
“I’ve been riding her because I don’t think she knows how good she is,” Mulkey admitted. “She’s a special talent.”
Now, heading into her sophomore year, Williams is proving she’s far more than just a scorer. She’s a sister who will sprint from class to practice to a Friday night football game, and a competitor who drops 40-plus points when her team needs it most.
Mikaylah Williams just dropped 42. The most points by any @LSUwbkb player in the last 25 seasons 🤯
BUCKET 🪣 @mkwill12_ pic.twitter.com/N3IgNCJSsY
— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) November 14, 2023
Williams scored in double figures in all four NCAA Tournament games in her freshman campaign and had a 30-game free-throw streak. In addition, she scored 20 or more points in seven games and recorded a double-double against Louisiana-Lafayette.
With Mulkey’s coaching and Williams’s talent, LSU has a weapon built for big moments and a star who is only getting started.