Overview

Incoming LSU freshman Bella Hines made quite an adjustment during her early years in sports. Initially keen on baseball, she shifted to basketball in her sixth grade and her first game proved to be a remarkable start with a score of 28 points. This transition felt right, thanks to her earlier experiences playing around with her older brother at a local rec center.

Hines received her first college offer in the eighth grade from Northern New Mexico University, coached by former NBA player J.R. Giddens, and later garnered attention from prestigious universities including the University of New Mexico during her freshman year of high school.

“My freshman year was kind of like the big turning point for me,” Hines shared, emphasizing the work ethic it ignited within her.

She concluded high school as the 23rd-ranked prospect in the 2025 recruiting class according to 247Sports, eventually choosing to commit to LSU—an opportunity that developed quickly, especially with various brands pursuing her for NIL deals.

Signing an early deal with the Jordan Brand, she felt a connection with the brand’s ethos after speaking with Jasmine M. Jordan, who conveyed the brand’s values of personal care over just professional interests. Hines expressed appreciation towards the brand’s family-oriented atmosphere and the ongoing dialogue with Jasmine despite her shifting responsibilities.

Quickly reaching stardom, Bella continuously earned offers from numerous well-respected programs, yet LSU captured her heart owing to its thriving culture and a personal connection with existing players on the roster like Grace Knox and Divine Bourrage. With particular admiration for coach Kim Mulkey and star player Angel Reese, Hines was drawn further into the Tigers.

Her introduction to Coach Mulkey led to a bond characterized by similar personalities, and they even shared a memorable moment during Hines’ official visit when they filmed a playful TikTok together.

Hines concluded her high school career with a remarkable achievement of over 3,000 points, demonstrating her scoring prowess and emphasizing her goal to elevate her defensive skills at LSU. Wishing to embody the mamba mentality of Kobe Bryant while modeling her game after young stars like Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers, Hines seeks both personal and team triumph.

She remarked, “I want a national championship for sure… but also to make an impact on the youth where I’m from, as not many reach the heights I have.”

Bella Hines’ ambitions at LSU are clear: to learn a lot from her teammates and coach, achieve success in college basketball, and inspire others to pursue their dreams.