Sun Mar 09 00:00:00 UTC 2025: ## LSU Senior Celebrates Four Years with Coach Mulkey, Forgoing Home-State Opportunities
**Baton Rouge, LA** – LSU women’s basketball forward Amani Bartlett celebrated Senior Day on Sunday, marking the end of a four-year career deeply intertwined with head coach Kim Mulkey. Bartlett, a Texas native, revealed that she chose to stay at LSU despite potential opportunities for increased playing time at schools closer to home.
“Coach Mulkey has been incredible,” Bartlett stated in an interview. She highlighted a pivotal moment during a family emergency mid-season when Mulkey immediately urged her to prioritize her family. This, Bartlett emphasized, demonstrated the supportive environment Mulkey fostered, making LSU feel like home.
Bartlett, who joined LSU alongside Mulkey in 2021, has seen her contributions grow steadily. This season, she earned her first career start and appeared in 14 games, averaging career-highs in minutes (5.6) and rebounds (1.3). Her best performance came against Northwestern State, where she played 12 minutes, scoring six points and grabbing three rebounds.
While acknowledging potential benefits of transferring closer to her Texas home, Bartlett ultimately chose loyalty and the supportive atmosphere cultivated by Mulkey, a coach who has led the Tigers to two consecutive Elite Eight appearances and a National Championship. Bartlett’s decision underscores the impact of coaching beyond wins and losses, showcasing the importance of player well-being and a strong team environment.
First Piper 