Mikaylah Williams Reveals How Much Playing at LSU Means to Her

In LSU’s win over NC State, Mikaylah Williams came through when her team needed her the most. The Tigers advance to the Elite Eight thanks in large part to Williams’ 19 points and 8 rebounds in a close win over the Wolfpack.

Sophomore Williams talked about how much playing for LSU as a Louisiana native means to her. She said, “Right. I think for me, it's a really, really good feeling, but the first thing first is that I'm blessed, just blessed that God blessed me with the talent and the ability to even be on this stage to play basketball among some amazing, great, talented athletes.

I think, like, my goal as a basketball player on this stage is to just be a role model and an inspiration to the people in Louisiana, the little girls in Louisiana, to show them that it's possible to do some hard work and believe in God and be humble and it works. Like, you get to be DI, you get to go to that next level of basketball, you get to continue to play a sport that you love.”

Williams also spoke about the leadership of teammate Aneesah Morrow. She said, “Without Aneesah we don't win. We don't win games. I think that's just a testament to the type of player that she is, the type of leader that she is, the type of captain that she is. She works extremely hard. She always works hard. So it's like, when she's working hard, she doesn't demand anything else but you also to work hard and reach her level of working hard. So, yeah, just her being a great leader.”

The LSU Tigers play the UCLA Bruins today at 3:00 pm ET in Spokane.