The LSU women’s basketball program has rarely been short on talent, ambition, or national attention, but the 2025-26 season feels different. It feels like destiny. With superstar Mikaylah Williams returning for another campaign and dominant post presence Sa’Myah Smith back to full strength, the Tigers aren’t just hoping to make noise—they’re preparing to orchestrate a championship symphony. After a season that ended just short of their loftiest goals, LSU is reloaded, motivated, and laser-focused on reclaiming its spot atop the college basketball world.
Few programs boast the firepower and pedigree LSU now commands under head coach Kim Mulkey. In her tenure, Mulkey has transformed the Tigers from a team with promise to a powerhouse with pedigree, capturing the 2023 national title and reshaping the standard for women’s basketball in Baton Rouge. Yet with the departure of stars like Angel Reese and the evolving landscape of college athletics due to NIL deals and transfer portal shakeups, many wondered whether the Tigers could sustain their elite status. Those doubts have quickly evaporated thanks to the unwavering presence of two stars: Mikaylah Williams and Sa’Myah Smith.
Mikaylah Williams, the former No. 1 overall recruit in the 2023 class, was everything LSU fans hoped for and more during her freshman season. From the moment she stepped onto the court, Williams demonstrated a rare blend of skill, maturity, and poise that elevated the entire team. She finished the season averaging 15.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game, routinely delivering in high-pressure moments and showcasing an offensive arsenal that few defenders could contain. Whether slashing to the rim, pulling up from deep, or facilitating for teammates, Williams’ basketball IQ and versatility made her a nightmare matchup. More importantly, she carried herself with the kind of composure usually reserved for seasoned veterans.
Williams’ return isn’t just significant—it’s program-defining. In an era where young stars often chase quick exits to the pros or test the waters of the transfer portal, Williams’ loyalty to LSU sends a powerful message. She believes in the culture Mulkey has cultivated, she trusts in her teammates, and she’s hungry to bring another national title back to Baton Rouge. Her development over the summer has only deepened expectations. Reports out of team workouts suggest her three-point range has expanded, her handle is tighter, and her leadership voice is more commanding. In short, she’s evolving into a full-fledged superstar.
Beside her, anchoring the paint and providing the Tigers with both a defensive backbone and interior scoring punch, stands Sa’Myah Smith. The 6-foot-4 forward was a rising star before a knee injury derailed her sophomore season. Now fully recovered and more determined than ever, Smith returns with something to prove. In her freshman year, she flashed elite potential, averaging 9.3 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks per game in limited minutes. Her footwork, timing, and shot-blocking instincts make her a natural rim protector, while her soft touch around the basket provides reliable scoring in the post.
Smith’s absence last season was deeply felt. Without her length and presence, LSU’s defense often struggled to control the paint, placing added pressure on perimeter defenders and forcing smaller forwards into mismatches. With Smith healthy and back in the rotation, LSU regains a vital piece of its identity. But more than that, they welcome back a tone-setter, someone who plays with heart, grit, and an unrelenting drive. Teammates and coaches alike have praised her leadership during her rehab process, noting her vocal support from the sidelines and her commitment to mentoring younger players. That leadership will now translate back to the court, where her impact will be both statistical and spiritual.
Together, Williams and Smith represent the ideal blend of perimeter dynamism and interior dominance. They form a devastating inside-out duo capable of breaking down defenses in a multitude of ways. For opposing teams, game-planning against LSU suddenly becomes a pick-your-poison scenario: collapse on Smith in the paint and risk Williams torching you from deep, or smother Williams on the wing and watch Smith feast on one-on-one matchups inside.
Their chemistry, developed over countless hours of practice, is equally invaluable. They read each other like seasoned professionals—Smith knowing when to seal off her defender for an entry pass, Williams knowing when to feed the post or swing the ball for a better look. That synergy is a nightmare for defenses and a dream for a coach like Mulkey, who prizes efficiency, execution, and energy.
Of course, LSU’s quest for greatness isn’t resting solely on the shoulders of Williams and Smith. The Tigers return a talented supporting cast that includes sharpshooters, gritty defenders, and versatile wings. But make no mistake—the engine behind this train is the Williams-Smith tandem. With their elite ability and complementary styles, they form the foundation upon which LSU is building its championship pursuit.
In addition to talent, LSU enters the new season with an emotional edge. Last year’s early exit from the NCAA Tournament left a bitter taste. For a program with national title aspirations, falling short served as a wake-up call—a reminder that greatness must be earned, not inherited. That loss has become fuel, driving the team to train harder, study longer, and play with greater urgency. Mulkey, never one to mince words, has challenged her team to embrace the pressure that comes with being elite. “We don’t run from expectations,” she told reporters in the spring. “We meet them head-on. That’s what champions do.”
That championship mentality is deeply embedded in both Williams and Smith. For Williams, the fire burns from within. She’s been hailed as a generational talent since high school, and while she relishes the spotlight, she’s more focused on legacy. Her goal isn’t just to be great—it’s to be remembered. To etch her name alongside the legends who came before her. Smith, meanwhile, is driven by redemption. Her injury sidelined her, but it never sidelined her spirit. Now that she’s back, she’s determined to make every moment count and help lead her team to the pinnacle.
It also helps that LSU boasts one of the most passionate fanbases in the nation. The PMAC will once again be packed, buzzing with anticipation and fueled by belief. The energy in Baton Rouge is palpable—something special is building. With each practice, each rep, each team meeting, the Tigers are crafting a culture of excellence that mirrors their championship DNA.
As the season draws nearer, the national media will once again focus its lens on LSU, scrutinizing every move, every win, every stumble. That’s the price of prominence. But with Williams and Smith leading the charge, LSU isn’t merely prepared for the spotlight—they’re demanding it. This team wants the pressure, the attention, the challenge of being great. And with these two stars lighting the path, greatness feels not only possible but inevitable.
So as the countdown begins for another electric college basketball season, one thing is clear: LSU is back, and perhaps more dangerous than ever. With Mikaylah Williams’ brilliance on the perimeter and Sa’Myah Smith’s dominance in the paint, the Tigers are poised to take the country by storm. Not just with talent, but with tenacity, teamwork, and a burning desire to be the best. This isn’t just a team chasing a title—it’s a team chasing immortality.
