When Kim Mulkey starts talking about "relentless toughness," you should probably listen. Honestly, the LSU frontcourt has always been about more than just height; it’s about a specific kind of grit that doesn't always show up in a box score. That brings us to LSU women's basketball signee Meghan Yarnevich, the Maryland native who essentially pulled a fast one on the SEC recruiting landscape by flipping from Georgia to the Tigers late in the 2025 cycle.
Most people were looking at the flashy five-star guards. They were talking about Divine Bourrage or ZaKiyah Johnson. Meanwhile, Mulkey was quietly securing a 6-foot-2 forward who basically lives for the physical side of the game.
The Georgia Flip That Changed Everything
Recruiting is a wild business. One day you’re signed, sealed, and delivered to Athens, and the next, you’re re-opening your recruitment and heading to Baton Rouge. Yarnevich decommitted from Georgia on May 4, 2025. By May 13, she was officially a Tiger. That’s a nine-day turnaround that tells you everything you need to know about how badly LSU wanted her—and how quickly she saw the vision.
It’s easy to get lost in the shuffle of the No. 1 recruiting class in the country. You've got Grace Knox and the high-flying guards. But Meghan brings something different. She’s a left-handed interior player. If you know basketball, you know lefties are a nightmare to guard in the post. Their angles are different. Their footwork feels "wrong" to a defender.
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Yarnevich finished her prep career at The Bullis School in Potomac, Maryland, but she already had a state championship ring from her time at Howard High School back in 2023. She isn't just a "prospect." She's a winner.
What LSU Women's Basketball Signee Meghan Yarnevich Brings to the Court
Mulkey doesn't mince words. She described Yarnevich as having a "powerful edge." What does that actually look like on the hardwood?
- Interior Soft Touch: For a player who loves the physical contact, she has a surprisingly delicate touch around the rim.
- Defensive Instincts: She averaged about a block per game in high school, but it’s her positioning that stands out. She knows how to wall up without fouling—mostly.
- The "Dirty Work" Mentality: She’s a willing rebounder. You’ll see her diving for loose balls or taking a charge when the game is on the line.
The stats from her early 2025-2026 freshman appearances give us a glimpse into her role. In a blowout win against Alabama State in December 2025, she logged 19 minutes and put up 4 points with a couple of steals and rebounds. She isn't the primary scoring option yet, but she’s the type of player who keeps the engine running while the stars take a breather.
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She’s currently wearing #15 for the Tigers.
Why the "Under-the-Radar" Label is Wrong
Calling a top-100 prospect "under-the-radar" feels a bit silly, but in this specific LSU class, it kinda fits. When you're playing alongside the likes of Flau'jae Johnson or Mikaylah Williams, the spotlight is incredibly bright.
Yarnevich is currently averaging about 2.6 points and 1.7 rebounds in her limited freshman minutes. Those aren't "Player of the Year" numbers, obviously. But look at the efficiency. She’s shooting nearly 47% from the floor. She isn't forcing bad shots. She’s learning the system.
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The frontcourt depth at LSU right now is insane. You have Kate Koval (the Notre Dame transfer) and Amiya Joyner. Yarnevich is essentially in a high-level apprenticeship program. She’s getting to practice against some of the best post players in the nation every single day.
The Maryland Connection and Future Outlook
Coming from the Maryland private school circuit is no joke. The Bullis School plays a national schedule. Yarnevich grew up playing against elite talent, which is why the transition to the SEC hasn't looked overwhelming for her.
She’s strong. She’s physical. And she’s left-handed.
Most people don't realize that Meghan was also a standout for the Fairfax Stars U17 team. That’s one of the premier AAU programs in the country. She’s been coached hard her entire life. When Mulkey gets a player who already knows how to take a "constructive" (read: loud) coaching session, the ceiling goes up.
Practical Steps for Fans Following Her Progress:
- Watch the Minutes: Don't just look at her points. Look at who she's on the floor with. If she's getting minutes in the first half of SEC games, it means Mulkey trusts her defense.
- Focus on the Off-Ball Movement: Yarnevich is great at cutting backdoor when the defense overplays the high post.
- Track the Free Throw Percentage: She’s currently sitting around 47% from the line. For her to become a late-game interior threat, that number needs to climb.
Keep an eye on the 2026 conference schedule. As the rotation tightens, the "relentless toughness" of LSU women's basketball signee Meghan Yarnevich might just be the factor that helps the Tigers grind out a win in a hostile environment. She's the glue. Every championship team needs it.