LSU coach Kim Mulkey drops Tigers roster for 2024-25 women's college basketball season in her latest IG story

Recent months have been crucial for Kim Mulkey and the LSU Tigers. The program has been heavily eyeing new talent in the transfer portal and live recruiting. After all, the Tigers have lost Angel Reese, who is making quite a mark in the WNBA. Moreover, Hailey Van Lith's decision to enter the portal is a bigger shocker.

Now, as teams slowly confirm their roster for the coming season, Mulkey shared a glimpse of LSU's final lineup. The coach reposted a graphic from LSU women's basketball on her Instagram story.

The three point guards through the portal were the biggest additions of the offseason: Kailyn Gilbert, Shayeann Day-Wilson and Mjracle Sheppard.

Gilbert is a proficient scorer from Arizona who averaged 15.1 points and 5.3 rebounds in the 2023-24 season. Sheppard joins after showing great signs as a defensive player during her freshman year. She averaged 5.0 points per game with 2.6 rebounds and 1.4 steals last year, and she made more than three steals in six games.

Day-Wilson will be the most experienced player of the lot, having played for Duke and Miami. She averaged 11.9 points, 3.5 assists and 2.7 rebounds last season.

Filling Reese and Van Lith's roles are just the starting objectives for Kim Mulkey and LSU

LSU had a great shot at another championship run last season. As it begins the coming season without some of its star players, the chances of repeating their 2023 success are less likely. However, the new pieces give Kim Mulkey a chance to mimic the winning roster’s qualities.

Last season, LSU struggled with leadership, grit, physicality and toughness. Coach Mulkey pointed out the lack early in the season, bashing her star players after the Tigers lost their season-opener to Colorado.

Then comes LSU’s suffocating defense, which the program has failed to carry forward. Even when the Tigers garnered 20 steals and shut down the McNeese State through full-court coverages, there were no hints of championship defense that made them clear favorites over the opposing teams.

Nevertheless, it could be a good thing that LSU has lost its identity. Mulkey can make the program whatever she wants it to be. She has ample tools to do so and driven personnel who will try to live up to what Reese and Van Lith once created in the arena.