"There was no frustration, that's just Mikaylah [Williams]": Kim Mulkey clarifies after LSU star's exit on special night gets misinterpreted

Kim Mulkey and the LSU Tigers picked up a dominating 100-54 win over the Grambling State Lady Tigers on Sunday, Dec. 8. Sophomore guard Mikaylah Williams rose to the occasion on her special homecoming, dropping 16 with just five misses, while snagging five rebounds, dishing out six assists, and getting three steals and two blocks in the process.

The win improves LSU's stifling start to 11-0 in the 2024-2025 season, as this will be a huge boost for Williams and the team when conference play commences. But, when the standout was subbed out of the game by head coach Kim Mulkey, there was some speculation as to whether or not she looked visibly frustrated with the decision despite the gigantic lead.

Head coach Kim Mulkey, however, cleared the air in the postgame presser.

"I took her out so the crowd could all acknowledge her. There was no frustration, that's just Mikaylah and her mannerisms. I just told her she needed to take a look around this arena. They're (the fans) are here for her and what she means to this area of the state," Mulkey explained. (3:50)

"She shot it good. She's had (a) great percentage...I thought she had a very solid game...But, I didn't sense any frustration," she added. (4:15)

The crowd applauded Williams, who played for Parkway High School in Bossier City, Louisiana. The game was held at the Brookshire Grocery Arena, where the former consensus No. 2 recruit had her No. 12 jersey retired by the school in a pregame ceremony. Williams was also greeted by spectators postgame.

It was indeed a special night for the second-year scorer as the early exit given by Mulkey may just be for Williams to soak in the admiration and love she's getting from the arena.

Now commanding an unbeaten 11-0 standing in the Southeastern division, Williams and the rest of the Tigers will aim for their 12th straight victory as they battle the Louisville-Lafayette Ragin' Cajuns next Sunday, Dec. 15.

Kim Mulkey shares Mikaylah Williams' outlook on being great

As the post-game press conference continued, Kim Mulkey was asked about what she saw in Williams when she was recruiting her from high school and what she sees in her now.

Mulkey then discussed her impact on Parkway HS coming from a family of basketball players and then moved on to the conversations she's had with the 19-year-old standout on being a great player.

"She wants to please you. She never wants to mess up. She wants to be perfect. She wants to be great. I tell her all the time, 'Great ones have bad games and miss shots. Michael Jordan got cut from his high school team and I think he's pretty great,'" Mulkey shared. (5:40)

"So, that's Mikaylah's mentality and you love that as a coach as long as they don't take it out of perspective," she concluded. (5:50)

Through 11 games, Williams is averaging 16.2 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 2.6 assists for the unbeaten Tigers.