As the final seconds ticked off the clock in Spokane, Washington, LSU women's basketball fans started looking toward the 2025-26 season. While losing in the Elite Eight was a disappointing end to a solid season, it was overall an impressive season that may have been altered by late season injuries. One of those injuries was to Flau'Jae Johnson who missed the regular season finale and the SEC Tournament.
At times, the time off looked like it affected Flau'Jae Johnson especially in the Lady Tigers win over NC State and at the start of the UCLA game as she wasn't in rhythm. Down the stretch of this game, Johnson started to dominate and she finished the game with 28 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists.
Everyone assumed that Johnson and Mikaylah Williams would headline what could be another incredibly loaded LSU team next season. After the game, Flau'Jae Johnson brought some doubt on that possibility as she told the media she's considering leaving school a year early to head to the WNBA Draft.
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
— Alexa Philippou (@alexaphilippou) March 30, 2025
After the game, Kim Mulkey spoke on Flau'Jae Johnson and what she's meant to the program under Mulkey.
"When I took the LSU job, Flau'Jae was the first McDonald's All-American that I signed. I had not coached and won anything at LSU, and she came to LSU. So she jump-started our program. I'm forever indebted to Flau'Jae Johnson."Kim Mulkey
This season, Flau'Jae Johnson was incredible, averaging 18.3 points per game, 5.6 rebounds per game, and 2.5 assists per game while playing incredible defense. Leaving school a year early would be a rare decision but, Flau'Jae Johnson is a rare athlete. Johnson is a star on and off of the court and while sticking it out in school would allow her to continue earning through NIL, she's a rare athlete in the sense that she's popular outside of the sport.
All eyes will now be on Johnson's pending decision as it'll significantly affect LSU's ceiling next season.