In a thrilling turn of events for basketball fans, South Carolina sophomore MiLaysia Fulwiley received a delightful surprise late Thursday night when she spotted Golden State Warriors All-Star guard Stephen Curry donning her "Playa Society" T-shirt during a game at the Chase Center. At that moment, the guard’s excitement was palpable as she voiced her amazement: "I was like, ‘Oh my God,’ I can’t believe it. ... When I seen him with my shirt on, it was like a dream come true." The T-shirt, which features a caricature of Fulwiley in her Gamecock uniform, retails for $45 and drew considerable attention, with an ESPN post showcasing Curry wearing it accumulating over 400,000 views.
On Friday, March 21, 2025, the day of Curry's revelation, Fulwiley demonstrated her own prowess on the basketball court. She scored an impressive 15 points in just 19 minutes, contributing to the Gamecocks' decisive 108-48 victory over Tennessee Tech in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. The alignment of events, with Curry promoting her clothing line shortly before her standout performance, seemed almost serendipitous.
Fulwiley's connection with Curry runs deep; she played for his AAU team during the summer leading up to her senior year at Keenan High School. Reflecting on that pivotal moment, Fulwiley recalled, "I had to leave because Curry asked me. It was a no-brainer. My mom was like, you have to do it. He doesn’t just call anyone and ask them to play for him. My mom was like, if you play with him, he might be able to give you an NIL deal, and that is exactly what happened." Her mother’s foresight proved invaluable, as Fulwiley became the first college athlete to secure a name, image, and likeness deal with the Curry Brand in March 2024.
In light of the recent events surrounding her, Curry expressed admiration for Fulwiley's exceptional talent and impact. "When it comes to the ability to change the game for good, nobody can speak to that more than MiLaysia," he stated. "She’s changing the women’s game on the fly with how she plays and moves on the court." These accolades only fortified Fulwiley’s resolve as she pursued her basketball career, shooting for another national championship with the Gamecocks.
In an exciting development following the Gamecocks' victory, Fulwiley announced the release of her new Curry Brand Grade MF12 "Butta" shoes. These shoes, which dropped shortly after the game, are a sequel to her earlier Curry Brand release, the "FamLAY" Garnet and Black shoes, which had been unveiled in February 2025. Fulwiley wore the "FamLAY" shoes in Friday's game and previously shared her excitement for the latest design: "I wanted to do something that represented my name and my swagger. ... I feel like I am a very bright person and stand out a lot. It is only right to have bright shoes. I love how they created them. I gave them my colorways and ideas and they put them together."
As a show of camaraderie, Fulwiley also made a thoughtful gesture this past Valentine’s Day by gifting each of her teammates a pair of the "FamLAY" shoes, illustrating her generosity and team spirit. As the NCAA Tournament progresses, all eyes will undoubtedly be on her, especially with the new "Butta" shoes, which are sure to add to her on-court flair.
Fulwiley's story is one of determination, skill, and serendipitous connections in the world of basketball. As she continues to shine in her collegiate career and ring in other achievements, her collaboration with one of the biggest names in sports, Stephen Curry, reaffirms her position as a rising star in women’s basketball. The world watched Fulwiley rock the court, both with a unique style and game-changing potential, lending credence to her bright future ahead.
