BATON ROUGE — One more year.
Flau'jae Johnson 's business in college basketball isn't done yet. LSU women's basketball's star guard announced her intention on returning for her final year of college eligibility for the 2025-26 season, per reports from The Athletic.
While she believes her game is ready for the next step and the WNBA as she told The Daily Advertiser following the conclusion of the Tigers' season last weekend, Johnson wants to accomplish more in college.
The WNBA Draft will be held Monday, April 14, in New York City at the Shed.
Johnson's decision to return to school allows her the chance to return to LSU, which has won at least 31 games in each of the three seasons she's played for the Tigers.
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While college juniors aren't usually eligible for the WNBA Draft, Johnson's birthday is in November when she will turn 22 years old and by the league calendar, that makes her old enough to be a potential prospect for this year's draft cycle.
Johnson said after LSU's Elite Eight exit from the NCAA Tournament against UCLA that she was still undecided on her decision at that point and that her decision would based on her talks with her mom and agent, Kia Brooks, as well as LSU coach Kim Mulkey.
"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."
Johnson will be the leader again for LSU next season alongside rising junior star Mikaylah Williams. Getting Johnson back is huge for Mulkey and the Tigers as they've lost Aneesah Morrow to graduation and the WNBA Draft along with forward Sa'Myah Smith to the transfer portal.
During LSU's run at its first NCAA championship two seasons ago, Johnson played an integral part in that team. She was a Day 1 starter as a freshman and finished third in scoring on the team with 11 points per game.
Johnson led the Tigers in scoring for much of this past season before she missed three games at the end of the regular season and the SEC Tournament with injury. She finished second in scoring with 18.6 points per game behind fellow star Morrow, who had 18.7.
Versatility and ability to finish through and around contact at the rim has always been an attractive part of Johnson's game. Her drive and penetration game led her to college basketball but since playing for Mulkey, her performance on the defensive end has really taken several steps forward.
Johnson is a multi-level scorer and is a good passer.
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Cory Diaz covers the LSU Tigers for The Daily Advertiser as part of the USA TODAY Network. Follow his Tigers coverage on Twitter: @ByCoryDiaz. Got questions regarding LSU athletics? Send them to Cory Diaz at bdiaz@gannett.com .
This article originally appeared on Lafayette Daily Advertiser: LSU star Flau'jae Johnson makes WNBA Draft decision, per reports
