LSU star guard Flau'jae Johnson has officially decided to return to college for her senior year, bypassing the 2025 WNBA Draft. Johnson hopes to lead the Tigers further than the Elite Eight, where their season ended in a nail-biting 72-65 defeat against UCLA.

“I feel like I ain't really do nothing, for real,” Johnson said. “I mean, we going to Elite Eights, but that’s not no success for me. Some people have to be in the Elite Eight. I don’t want to be in no Elite Eight. I want to be in the Final Four.”

Johnson is coming off a strong season, averaging 18.6 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.7 steals in 34 games played. She shot an efficient 46.8 percent from the floor, 38.3 percent from beyond the arc, and 81.0 percent from the free throw line.

After elimination in the Elite Eight, Johnson admitted she had to evaluate her options about the path ahead, but planned to consult LSU head coach Kim Mulkey and her family before making a final decision.

"I don't know," Johnson remarked following the season's end. "Got to talk to Coach [Kim] Mulkey, talk to my family. I don’t know."

Flau'jae Johnson Wasn't Satisfied with Elite Eight Run

In her announcement, Johnson expressed a strong desire to lead her team to the heights of college basketball, an ambition that goes beyond personal accolades. Despite finishing with 28 points, four rebounds, four assists, two steals, and two blocks against UCLA, the Tigers were unable to come out on top.

"This wasn't how it was supposed to end, not for us," Johnson explained. "I want to come back and finish what we started. Not just to get to the Final Four but to win it all. That’s the goal."

Despite winning a national championship with LSU in 2023, Johnson is motivated to lead a title run as one of the prominent leaders on the team.

"Once I taste the national championship more and more," Johnson said. "I feel like that national championship I have, yeah, I was a big factor in it, but there were bigger factors. I want my own one, you know what I'm saying? Where I lead the team. That's what you really want."

Kim Mulkey Feels 'Forever Indebted' to Flau'jae Johnson

Since stepping in as a starter immediately since arriving in Baton Rouge, Johnson has remained an integral element of Mulkey's plans.

“I had not coached and won anything at LSU,” Mulkey said, “and (Johnson) came to LSU. So, she jumpstarted our program, really. And then the portal helped us. We brought in Angel (Reese) and lots of other players. But Flau'jae was a high school All-American, and we got her. So, I'm forever indebted to Flau'jae Johnson.”

"I'm forever indebted to Flau'Jae Johnson." 💜

Kim Mulkey reflected on all that Flau'Jae has meant to the LSU WBB program 🙏 pic.twitter.com/e7hFz44VoJ

— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) March 30, 2025

 

Johnson admitted that she feels ready to compete in the WNBA. She was eligible for the 2025 WNBA Draft since she is set to turn 22 in November and meets the qualifications to be draft eligible during the current cycle.

"How I feel if I'm ready or not," Johnson said. "I do feel like I'm ready. But it's also like family, my mom, you know, she's my agent. But just talking with coach Mulkey and my mom to see what I'm going to do."

Coming off a First-Team All-SEC season, Johnson will have the chance to lead LSU next season in a prominent role once again. However, the team must evaluate its supporting cast, considering Aneesah Morrow entered the WNBA Draft and Sa'Myah Smith entered the transfer portal.

Grant Afseth is a contributor to BallisLife, covering men's and women's basketball. He currently resides in the Dallas area, often covering the Dallas Mavericks, Wings, and more.