After the LSU Women's Basketball team wrapped up their season, all eyes were on one player from the Tigers. When the season came to a close, Flau'Jae Johnson didn't rule out leaving LSU a year early for the WNBA which immediatley put fear into LSU fans. When Johnson decided to play one more year of college, rumors swirled that she could end up entering the transfer portal.
On Thursday Night, Flau'Jae Johnson released the latest episode of her podcast "The Best of Both Worlds" where she addressed both the rumors about her leaving for the WNBA and the transfer portal.
Flau'Jae Johnson started off by addressing the potential of going to the WNBA and why she ultimately decided to return to college pushing off her professional career for one more year.
"There was a lot of talk about me going into the draft. I thought about it, but first of all, I’m not trying to go out on an L, second of all, you have to think about the CBA, third, I want to try to win. I know I can develop more."Flau'Jae Johnson
Johnson then revealed that she had a conversation with Kim Mulkey about potentially going to the WNBA and about her future which gave both Mulkey and Johnson a plan for her role in 2025 and how Johnson can have her best season to date.
"I’m a great player but I can’t turn it on and off. I love the WNBA but I don’t think it’s time yet. I talked to coach Mulkey and we had a real conversation about how things are going and that really helped us see what we both think and how I can make this year my best year."Flau'Jae Johnson
As Flau'Jae Johnson needs a new forward to play alongside, LSU went out and landed Notre Dame Forward Kate Koval a former Top-5 recruit. Koval will look to fill the role that Aneesah Morrow played and dominated as the Lady Tigers look to make a deeper run next season. Johnson spoke about the addition of Koval and how important she will be for LSU in 2025.
"Kate Koval, Notre Dame to LSU, a 6-foot-5 sophomore forward. Super excited about that landing. Y’all already know post players are important to everything we do, so we need a dominant post."Flau'Jae Johnson
If LSU fans still had any concerns about Flau'Jae Johnson leaving, her excitement about playing alongside Kate Koval should easy any concerns.
"She visited LSU and ended up going to Notre Dame, but I’m excited for her to be coming here and I’m excited to play with her. I’m always excited to play with new people. We’re going to have a nice presence in the paint starting with her."Flau'Jae Johnson
Getting Flau'Jae Johnson back is the biggest move the LSU Women's Basketball team could make this offseason. Losing Johnson would've been a disaster for LSU as players of her caliber are nearly impossible to replace with the impact she makes on both ends of the court. Now that LSU has Flau'Jae Johnson back for one more season, Kim Mulkey can attack the transfer portal so the Tigers can get another run at a National Championship.