LSU Star Flau’jae Johnson Announces Unexpected Decision on WNBA Draft

“As far as the draft, I thought about it but I’m like, ‘I’m not trying to go out on an L,’” Johnson said. “Second of all, you got to think about the CBA and all of that. Third, I want to try to win. I want to go out on a win. I know I can develop more. Like, I’m a great player and I can’t turn it on an off. I got to keep it on.

“This is going to be a mental year for me, and if my mental is as sharp as it was this last tournament and the last games, I’ll be alright. But no, no WNBA for me. I don’t think it’s time yet.”

The 2024 season was the best of Johnson’s three-year LSU career. She averaged 18.6 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.7 steals per game while shooting 46.8% from the field and 38.3% from 3-point range.

And while Johnson admitted she heard from several other schools trying to entice her to hit the transfer portal, she always knew LSU was where she wanted to stay — a feeling reinforced after a conversation with head coach Kim Mulkey.

“I already knew that I wasn’t going to go,” Johnson continued. “I already knew that, but I was like let me see what’s up because there was some interesting offers. I talked to coach Mulkey, and I told her some real stuff and how I was feeling, and that conversation really helped us…see how I can make this year my best year. It’s crazy out here. This portal is crazy, these commitments are insane.”