The LSU Tigers’s journey in the 2025 NCAA Tournament came to an abrupt end as they fell to the UCLA Bruins (72-65) in the Elite Eight. Also, this marks the second straight year that LSU has seen its championship dreams cut short.
Now, all eyes are on star guard Flau’jae Johnson as she contemplates her next move. With speculation surrounding her future, the talented playmaker has finally broken her silence.
Flau’jae Johnson Weighing Her Options
ESPN’s women’s basketball reporter Alexa Philippou recently shared on her X profile that Johnson is still uncertain about whether to return to LSU for another season or declare for the 2025 WNBA Draft. She acknowledged that she would need to consult with her parents and head coach Kim Mulkey before making such a life-changing decision.
“Flau’jae Johnson said she’s still thinking about whether to come back to LSU next season or declare for the WNBA draft. She is going to talk to Kim Mulkey and her family before making her decision. She is eligible for the 2025 draft as she turns 22 this calendar year,” wrote Philippou about Johnson’s decision.
Johnson started playing for LSU in 2022 and immediately established herself as a key contributor. During the Tigers’ successful 2023 NCAA championship pursuit in her freshman year, Johnson delivered 11 PPG alongside 5.9 RPG.
The sophomore year of her college career brought more success as she averaged 14.9 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game. Johnson proved herself to be one of the most versatile players in the SEC with her rim attacks combined with accurate three-pointers and effective defensive.
Now, in her junior season, she elevated her game even more as she was averaging 18.6 points per game, but it seems like luck wasn’t on her side as the Tigers were defeated by the Bruins by seven points on Sunday.
As fans and analysts continue to speculate on her decision, one thing remains certain: Johnson has already left an indelible mark on LSU basketball. Whether she takes the leap to the WNBA in 2025 or returns for another season, her future in the sport looks incredibly bright.
However, after Sunday’s loss, the 21-year-old guard left a small hint for the fans to speculate.
Johnson Has Hinted of Staying With the Tigers
Most college basketball players spend four years competing at the collegiate level before declaring for the WNBA Draft. However, Johnson, who turns 22 this November, has the opportunity to enter the 2025 WNBA Draft. But it appears that she has some unfinished business with LSU.
Johnson actively contributed to the Tigers winning their National Championship in 2023, yet she was only a freshman who needed time to adapt to the team. Following LSU’s recent elimination from the season, Johnson expressed her motivation to stay on for another term. She has hinted at a return, determined to complete what she started.
“Once I taste the national championship more and more. 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,” said Johnson.
During the Sunday game against UCLA, Johnson displayed her full effort by recording a remarkable 28-point performance alongside 4 rebounds and 4 assists. The efforts she displayed against UCLA remained insufficient to defeat the Bruins. While she has not made any official announcements about her future, fans are left eagerly waiting to see if she will make another run with the Tigers next season.