LSU Tigers coach Kim Mulkey welcomes 5-star signing ZaKiyah Johnson

ZaKiyah Johnson, one of the nation’s top recruits, committed to the LSU Tigers on Nov. 3. Landing a 5-star recruit on the Tigers’ roster gives a significant edge to LSU, so coach Kim Muljey couldn't be happier.

It was apparent in an Instagram story posted by Mulkey, where she shared a heartfelt message over the joining of the Sacred Heart Academy standout to the Lady Tigers. Mulkey shared a snap of ZaKiyah Johnson in an LSU jersey with the caption:

“Welcome Home Zakiyahmonae!!”

Coach Kim Mulkey via Instagram Story

Johnson, a No. 12 nationally ranked player from Louisville, as per 247Sports, preferred coach Mulkey-led Lady Tigers over Arizona, Mississippi State, Georgia, Notre Dame, UCLA, Ohio State and UConn.

South Carolina, Southern California and Tennessee are among those receiving approximately 40 NCAA Division I scholarship offers. She announced her commitment with style — during a ceremony at Sacred Heart, ZaKiyah unzipped her jacket to reveal the LSU jersy announcing her commitment.

“For the next four years I will be going to... LSU," she stated at the time.

Interestingly, Johnson received the offer from LSU in January this year. However, she took her time and only made her decision toward the year’s end after due consideration.

Johnson was a key player for her high school team in their successful 36-3 last season. She managed an impressive 20 points per game, leading her team’s third Kentucky State Championship title.

“She has grown our game. And she has put Kentucky high school basketball on the map. Nobody, no high school player right now, has done what she’s done,”

Sacred Heart coach and athletic director Donna Moir hailed the exceptional performances of three-time Kentucky Gatorade Player of the Year winner, ZaKiyah Johnson.

Coach Mulkey has indeed secured a top-notch player for the Lady Tigers. Can she sign another top player?

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After ZaKiyah Johnson, can coach Kim Mulkey rope in no. 1 decruit Aaliyah Chavez?

Kim Mulkey is on a commitment spree this season, securing pledges of top prospects. ZaKiyah Johnson is her fourth commitment for LSU’s 2025 roster.

The 5-foot-11 guard Divine Bourrage from Davenport (Iowa) North High School, 5-foot-9 guard Bella Hines from Eldorado High School (New Mexico) and the 6-foot-2 forward from Rancho Cucamonga, California, Grace Knox, have also committed to LSU. However, the big question is whether Mulkey is vying for Aaliyah Chavez, the undisputed No. 1 in women's high school basketball.

Aaliyah Chavez is still undeclared, and top Division I colleges across the country are trying to land the No. 1 prospect of the Class of 2025.

According to On3's recruitment prediction machine, Oklahoma is leading the race with 37% changes. UCLA isn't far behind either, with 32.3%. Meanwhile, LSU is far behind with only an 8.2% probability, hinting that the top recruit in the country, Aaliyah Chavez, might not don the Tigers’ jersey.