When 2027 recruit Caroline Bradley visited Baton Rouge last March, it felt like a formality. The Oak Grove phenom, Louisiana\u2019s top player, and a Gatorade Girls Basketball Player of the Year, she seemed destined to play for Kim Mulkey and the LSU Tigers.<\/p>\n
After a sophomore season where she averaged 21.8 points, 15.1 rebounds, and 2.5 blocks per game, everyone in the state assumed she would stay home.<\/p>\n
However, what once looked like a smooth, homegrown commitment is now a full-blown national dogfight. With college basketball\u2019s biggest names circling and visits scheduled with some of LSU\u2019s fiercest rivals, the battle for the top recruit in the 2027 class\u00a0is heating up. But Mulkey is not planning on going down without a fight.<\/p>\n
How Will Kim Mulkey Fend Off Dawn Staley and Other Rivals for Bradley?<\/p>\n
Once a local affair, Caroline Bradley\u2019s recruitment has exploded onto the national scene. While she has known Mulkey since the eighth grade, the 6\u20195\u2033\u00a0post player is now exploring unofficial visits to Georgia, UCLA, South Carolina, Kentucky, and Notre Dame. This shift has forced LSU to intensify its efforts.<\/p>\n
Just two weeks ago, Bradley told Rivals,<\/a> \u201cI\u2019m definitely relationship-oriented\u2026 Play style, honestly, throughout the recruiting process, is going to be really big\u2026 Somewhere that my family can get to is going to be important as well.\u201d The national heavyweights are clearly listening, but Mulkey isn\u2019t ready to take a backseat.<\/p>\n In a clear signal of LSU\u2019s intentions, Mike Scarborough reported<\/a> that Mulkey and assistant coach Kaylin Rice recently visited Oak Grove.<\/p>\n \u201cLittle bird tells me that Kim Mulkey @KimMulkey and assistant Kaylin Rice @Kaylin_Rice are currently in Oak Grove, Louisiana. Of course, home to 5-star \u201cBIG\u201d Caroline Bradley. Top prospect for the class of 2027. #LSU @LSUwbkb,\u201d Scarborough posted.<\/p>\n Little bird tells me that Kim Mulkey @KimMulkey<\/a> and assistant Kaylin Rice @Kaylin_Rice<\/a> are currently in Oak Grove, Louisiana.<\/p>\n Of course, home to 5-star \u201cBIG\u201d Caroline Bradley. Top prospect for the class of 2027. #LSU<\/a> @LSUwbkb<\/a> https:\/\/t.co\/WDmSLxhgTO<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/xeHZQ1xK71<\/a> The visit was likely prompted by the growing competition. South Carolina\u2019s Dawn Staley is making a strong push with her post-focused system, a philosophy Bradley values highly. \u201cCoach Staley is great,\u201d Bradley noted.<\/p>\n At UCLA, Cori Close has impressed her with a player-first approach and a strong emphasis on post-game development. \u201cShe\u2019s just a really, really good human, and they\u2019re a really good staff,\u201d Bradley said of the Bruins\u2019 coach.<\/p>\n MORE: MiLaysia Fulwiley Reveals Personal Reason Behind Leaving Dawn Staley\u2019s South Carolina for LSU<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Meanwhile, Kentucky\u2019s Kenny Brooks brings structure and a clear vision for how Bradley would fit into his system. Notre Dame, under head coach Niele Ivey, also offers a proven track record.<\/p>\n Each program is making its pitch, and Bradley is listening intently. However, LSU still holds a potential home-court advantage.<\/p>\n What Makes Bradley a Must-Have Prospect for LSU?<\/p>\n Beyond the homegrown angle, Bradley\u2019s on-court performance explains why this recruiting battle is so intense. Her sophomore season was historic, as the 6\u20195\u2033 center averaged 21.8 points and led Oak Grove to the Non-Select Division III state championship game.<\/p>\n In that state final, she delivered a performance for the ages with 38 points, 22 rebounds, and six blocks. Although Oak Grove suffered a narrow 48-43 loss to Oakdale, Bradley was named the game\u2019s MVP for her dominant effort.<\/p>\n Oak Grove fell one win shy of the goal, dropping to Oakdale in the title game 48-43. Caroline Bradley won the MVP with her game-high 38 points and 22 rebounds. Despite leading for over 18 minutes, some crucial turnovers (23 total) down the stretch proved costly. But this Oak\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/amCcRa4jTf<\/a><\/p>\n\n
\u2014 Mike Scarborough (@ScarboroughMike) September 2, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n