Potential WNBA lottery pick gives update on draft decision

Flau’Jae Johnson could be headed to the WNBA as soon as next month. That is, if the LSU star decides to forego her fourth season of college and instead go professional after three college seasons, something she’s eligible to do because she turns 22 in November.

Johnson, who was one of LSU’s best players in the 2024-25 season, said after LSU’s 72-65 loss to UCLA that she had not yet decided whether or not she would enter the draft, noting that she’d take “everything” into account.

“[I’ve] got to talk to Coach [Kim] Mulkey, talk to my family,” Johnson said in the locker room , per ESPN. “I don’t know.”

Johnson’s tournament run ended with a Sweet Sixteen loss on Sunday. While Johnson struggled in the first half, she ended the night with a 28-point (10-17 FG), 4-assist, 4-rebound, 2-block, 3-steal performance.

Still, it wasn’t enough to overcome the top-seeded Bruins, who advanced to their first Final Four appearance in program history. LSU falls in the Elite Eight for the second consecutive year following their 2023 NCAA championship.

Is Flau’Jae Johnson WNBA-ready?

Johnson spent three seasons at LSU, averaging 14.6 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game. She demonstrated her three-point shooting ability throughout her college career, hitting 36.3% from beyond the arc.

Her junior year season was her best yet; she averaged a career-best 18.3 points. She was named to the All American third-team. The 5’10 guard has the makings of a pro, and the speed and athleticism to thrive in the WNBA.

She is also one of several women’s college basketball players who are committed to playing in Unrivaled, the new offseason 3-on-3 women’s basketball co-founded by Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart. That offer stands regardless of whether she declares for the draft this year or next.

If Johnson is to enter the draft, she very well could be a lottery pick. LSU teammate Aneesah Morrow has also entered the 2025 WNBA Draft, as has Johnson’s good friend UConn star Paige Bueckers, who is expected to be picked first overall. Other top picks on most mock drafts include French center Dominique Malonga, USC forward Kiki Iriafen, Notre Dame guards Sonia Citron and Olivia Miles, and Maryland guard Shyanne Sellers. Johnson very well could find herself in the mix — so long as she doesn’t return for a fourth season at LSU.