What began as a shocking college commitment has now turned into a full-blown drama, as five-star sensation Joyce Edwards seemingly took a direct jab at former teammate and close friend MiLaysia Fulwiley following her headline-grabbing decision to commit to LSU.
Edwards, a top-3 recruit in the class of 2025, stunned the basketball world earlier this week by choosing Kim Mulkey’s LSU Tigers over her home-state favorite, the South Carolina Gamecocks — a program widely expected to land the superstar forward. Her choice was surprising enough, but it’s what happened after that has everyone talking.
In a cryptic yet fiery Instagram Live session posted just hours after her announcement, Edwards addressed what many believe was aimed squarely at Fulwiley — her former high school and AAU teammate, and now a rising star at South Carolina.
> “Some people say it’s about loyalty. But where was that energy when I needed it?” Edwards said. “Y’all mad now, but this was never about basketball. This was about respect — and that was missing.”
The comment has ignited speculation that Edwards felt slighted or overlooked by her former teammate and others within the Gamecocks’ circle. Though she didn’t name Fulwiley directly, fans and insiders were quick to connect the dots, citing the two’s once-close bond and recent rumors of tension during recruiting visits.
Sources close to the situation claim there was a falling out between the two prospects late last year, possibly tied to competitive spotlight, team dynamics, or personal disagreements. Fulwiley, who has not publicly responded, posted a cryptic tweet shortly after Edwards’ comments: “Some moves speak louder than words.”
Fans on both sides have flooded social media, some defending Edwards’ decision and others calling it a betrayal of South Carolina roots. LSU fans, meanwhile, are celebrating what they see as a massive win — not just on the court, but in the ongoing battle for recruiting supremacy in women’s college hoops.
Edwards’ decision not only deepens LSU’s roster but has added a layer of personal drama that’s rare in the recruiting world. And with both LSU and South Carolina expected to be national contenders in the 2025–26 season, basketball fans may not have to wait long to see these former teammates face off in what could become one of the sport’s most intense new rivalries.
One thing is clear: this story is no longer just about a college commitment — it’s personal.
