Dressed proudly in LSU’s signature purple and gold, Aneesah Morrow rose slowly from her seat, visibly moved, and made her way to the stage to accept the prestigious Pericous Maxwell Award for Excellence—one of the most respected honors in women’s college basketball. With the spotlight shining and the audience erupting in applause, Morrow, a vital figure in the LSU Tigers lineup, was overcome with emotion. As she held the award, tears flowed freely, each drop representing a journey built on perseverance, leadership, and quiet but undeniable greatness.
More than just a trophy, the award symbolized years of relentless effort, personal evolution, and the values the Pericous Maxwell Award celebrates—achievement in all aspects of life, not just basketball. Morrow’s path to this moment began the day she transferred to LSU from DePaul, already an All-American. She brought not only her basketball skills but also a grounded maturity that bolstered a Tigers squad aiming to extend its national championship legacy.
Under head coach Kim Mulkey’s direction, Morrow didn’t just perform—she transformed. Her stats remained elite, but it was her mindset that elevated both her and the team. Mulkey praised her after the award ceremony, emphasizing how Morrow fully embraced the program’s mission. She noted that Morrow’s impact extended beyond points and rebounds—she led by example and made those around her better.
And the numbers backed it up. In the 2024–25 season, Morrow posted averages of 19.7 points, 10.9 rebounds, 2.5 steals, and 1.3 blocks per game on 52% shooting. Her consistency and tenacity became the bedrock of LSU’s interior play. More than a statistical leader, she was the emotional engine for a team that leaned on her during critical moments.
That leadership became most evident during a rocky midseason stretch. Injuries and internal challenges tested LSU’s unity and resolve. During this time, Morrow didn’t just contribute on the court—she galvanized the locker room. When tension threatened to derail their season, she called a players-only meeting that reignited their collective spirit, resulting in a nine-game win streak capped by victories over top-15 opponents.
The award she received wasn’t just about performance—it recognized character, service, academics, and personal development. Established in honor of Dr. Pericous Maxwell, a trailblazer for women in sports and education, the award demands more than basketball excellence. Morrow, with her 3.8 GPA as a sociology major and work in the Baton Rouge community, was a shining example of its purpose.
Off the court, Morrow mentored local students, led fundraising events, and collaborated with LSU’s diversity initiatives. She used her platform to amplify messages of empowerment, especially for women of color. During her speech, she reflected on how LSU helped shape her, thanking her coaches, teammates, and family. With emotion in her voice, she dedicated her award to every girl who’s ever been told she’s “too much.”
In the audience sat her mother, Nafeesah, herself a former college basketball standout. As Aneesah spoke, her mother cried with pride. Kim Mulkey, typically stoic, was visibly moved as well, acknowledging that moments like these validate the deeper purpose of coaching. Morrow’s transformation from a driven freshman at DePaul to a full-fledged leader at LSU was complete.
Her journey had humble beginnings on Chicago’s South Side, where she developed her game in competitive pickup settings, often against older boys. Her skill and resilience were obvious early on, but so was her kindness. Former coaches remembered her as a player who dominated but never lost her compassion—a rare mix that followed her throughout her career.
Now a projected top-five pick in the WNBA Draft, Morrow’s next chapter awaits. Scouts laud her versatility, leadership, and maturity—traits that make her more than a promising player, but a future cornerstone for any professional franchise. As she stepped off the stage, she was asked what she’d cherish most about her LSU experience. Her answer was simple but powerful: “The growth.” From college standout to a symbol of excellence, Aneesah Morrow’s story is only beginning.
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