LSU’s Flau’jae Johnson explains WNBA draft decision: “I’m tryna win”

Modified Apr 11, 2025 02:29 GMT

NCAA Womens Basketball: NCAA Tournament Spokane Regional-UCLA Bruins vs LSU Lady Tigers - Source: Imagn — Flau'jae Johnson in the loss to UCLA. - Source: James Snook, Imagn

LSU Tigers guard Flau’jae Johnson is playing out her fourth year of college basketball eligibility with the same program. On Thursday, April 3, the senior confirmed that she won't be declaring for the 2025 WNBA draft and will instead be suiting up for the Kim Mulkey-coached squad in the 2025-2026 season.

During an episode of her Best of Both Worlds with Flau'jae podcast on YouTube on Thursday, April 10, Johnson detailed further on the factors that led to her decision to stay with the Tigers.

"As far as the draft, I thought about it but I'm like, you know I'm not, first of all, not trying to go out on an L, and second of all, you got to think about the CBA and all of that. Third, I want to try to win like I want to go out on a win, and it's just like, I know I could develop more like I'm a great player, and I can't turn it on and off, you know what I'm saying?," she explained. (4:27)

"But, no, no WNBA for me. I don't think it's time yet, I don't think it's time yet," Johnson added.

In her third year of collegiate hoops, Flau’jae Johnson averaged 18.6 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.7 steals in about 31.6 minutes per contest for LSU.

Kim Mulkey was a huge factor in Flau’jae Johnson's decision to stay at LSU

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On her podcast, Flau'jae Johnson was asked if she knew after getting trounced out of the 2025 March Madness that she was going to stay at LSU, or if it took her time to ponder it. She then admitted that she already knew that she wasn't going to declare for the draft while sharing that Kim Mulkey helped her towards that decision.

"I talked to coach Mulkey, and we just had a real conversation. I told her some real stuff of how I've been feeling. I think that conversation really helped us and see what we both see in how I can make this year my best year. But, it's crazy out here," Flau’jae Johnson shared. (5:45)

The LSU Tigers finished their 2024-2025 campaign with an overall record of 31-6 and 12-4 during 2025 SEC play after they were eliminated in the Elite Eight of this year's national tournament by the UCLA Bruins through a seven-point defeat, 72-65.

About the author

Koby del Rosario is a college sports journalist at Sportskeeda who took up BS in Advertising Management at De La Salle University, one of the big "four" universities in the Philippines. Koby has over four years of experience with Complex PH, M2.0 Communications, The LaSallian, Daily Tribune, and Time Attack Manila.

Koby's favorite college team would have to be the North Carolina Tar Heels. Apart from being MJ's alma mater, Koby has always been fond of the Jordan silhouettes that release in the school's colors (being a sneakerhead himself).

His past favorite college players would have to be Russell Westbrook (UCLA) and Markelle Fultz (Washington). With Russ, his 1-2 punch with Kevin Love during their UCLA days was something Koby marveled at as Russ became his favorite player to watch post-Kobe.

Besides playing basketball, Koby enjoys nightlife, collecting sneakers, and playing video games. Apart from hosting parties and taking pictures for parties/bars/clubs, Koby is learning to DJ as a hobby with all sorts of house and hip-hop as the main genres.

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Edited by Dipayan Moitra