By ANDRE CHAMPAGNE, Tiger Rag Staff Reporter
LSU senior Izzy Besselman had not appeared in a game since March 24, 2024, when the Tigers defeated 11th-seeded Middle Tennessee, 83-56, in the Round of 32 of the NCAA Tournament.
That changed last night.
Head coach Kim Mulkey’s final substitution brought the loudest ovation of the evening. With 45 seconds remaining, Besselman rose from the bench and hustled to the scorer’s table to check into her final regular-season home game at LSU – a moment she will always cherish.
“It was definitely surreal,” Besselman said after the game. “It felt good to go out there one last time. We have the best fans, so it meant a lot.”
LSU walk-on Izzy Besselman hasn't played in a game since March 2024 due to a unique heart condition.
— ESPN (@espn) February 27, 2026
Coach Kim Mulkey made sure to get her on the court for her senior night 💜 pic.twitter.com/M5R9nUmwAr
Besselman has not dressed out since her sophomore season due to a rare heart condition, inappropriate sinus tachycardia, which causes her heart to beat rapidly without a clear cause.
Though she can no longer compete, she has embraced a support role for her teammates. Whether at practice, in film sessions, or on the bench during games, Besselman continues to make an impact.
“I think my perspective definitely changed and it’s kind of different then what it was before, but just being a leader, a supporter – anything I can for my teammates and just making an impact in any way,” Besselman said.
Senior guard Flau’jae Johnson, who arrived at LSU alongside Besselman, said she is the most selfless person she knows.
“She shows up to every film session, she shows up on time, ready to go,” Johnson said after LSU’s win over Tennessee. “She always has her opinion about what we’re doing and what we should run, but she’s very smart. She’s like another coach out there and she’ll do whatever it takes to help us win. I’m happy to have formed a sisterhood with her these past four years and I’m just proud of her. She’s battling something that a lot of people couldn’t and she faces it every day and she comes in and has that same energy every day and so I’d say she’s selfless and I love her very much.”
Mulkey has known Besselman since she was in the second grade, when Besselman attended her basketball camps in Texas. After a standout career at Episcopal High School in Baton Rouge, Mulkey believed she would be a strong addition to the program.
“I just thought, the kid’s coming to LSU. Would be great to be a part of your program and just said, ‘Why don’t you come try out?’ and I don’t know if I’d call it a try out. I just told her, ‘I want you on the team,’” Mulkey said after LSU’s win over Tennessee.
IZZY B!!!
— Joe Schwartz (@joeschwartz25) February 27, 2026
(and yes that is Coach Mulkey in the background circa 2013)
Life comes at you fast! So proud!! 💜 https://t.co/3nx7rLx0Xt pic.twitter.com/DvNiybbeeK
Besselman began her collegiate career as a walk-on before being placed on full scholarship in December 2024. Mulkey said the way she has handled her situation shows how mature she is.
“What it tells me about Izzy is, Izzy’s priorities in life are in order,” Mulkey said. “While she loves basketball, she’s got a national championship ring, she got to play in front of her hometown friends and family and she understands that she’s trying to play basketball when most people who have her condition are trying to live and survive. So, Izzy’s a great young lady and great teammate.”
Izzy Besselman has been awarded a full scholarship 🤩 pic.twitter.com/GWjzBDpQKP
— LSU Women's Basketball (@LSUwbkb) December 18, 2024
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