South Carolina Basketball: Magic Johnson in awe of MiLaysia Fulwiley

South Carolina basketball star MiLaysia Fulwiley during the McDonald's All-American Game last year. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports
South Carolina basketball star MiLaysia Fulwiley during the McDonald's All-American Game last year. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports

South Carolina basketball fans knew they were getting a special player in MiLaysia Fulwiley. Called by some a crossover between Magic Johnson and Stephen Curry, she has one of the best-ever high school mixtapes as the lightning-quick guard is one of the fastest players in the country, has exceptional ballhandling skills, has almost unlimited shooting range, and can dunk.

It didn’t take long for her to make an impact on her new team. During South Carolina basketball’s matchup with Notre Dame in Paris, France, Fulwiley was causing problems with her quick hands and effort on defense, and she was creating scoring opportunities for her team with her driving ability and passing vision.

In the 2nd quarter, as her Gamecocks were starting to impose their will on the Fighting Irish, Fulwiley saw an opening and raced up the floor. As she approached the 3-point line, everyone watching could tell something special was about to happen.

The Columbia native made one defender miss with a fake behind-the-back pass, but her speed and quickness meant that she didn’t have to pull up for a jumper. No, instead, she took one more step to split two defenders in the lane, gliding through multiple sets of arms as she put up a beautiful double-clutched finger roll.

The move was eerily similar to one that 1980s LA Lakers fans saw for years from Magic Johnson. In fact, the Hall of Famer took notice of Fulwiley’s move and heaped tons of praise on the budding superstar.

Sure, Magic Johnson might be speaking as a prisoner of the moment a bit with his comments. However, there is no denying that the Showtime Lakers’ captain knows a thing or two about flashy ball skills, and that is a trait that he shares with MiLaysia Fulwiley.

Dawn Staley’s South Carolina basketball squad, after an impressive 2nd quarter, leads Notre Dame by a score of 48-31 at halftime.