Flau'Jae Johnson forgoes WNBA draft and will return to college for senior season
Flau'Jae Johnson forgoes WNBA draft and will return to college for senior season
Flau'Jae Johnson will return to college and pass up the WNBA Draft, according to report from The Athletic on Wednesday.
League rules permit prospects to declare for the draft after either four years of college basketball or when they turn 22. Johnson will turn 22 later this year but did not declare at Tuesday's deadline.
In the 2024-25 season, Johnson led the Tigers with a career-high 18.6 points per game along with 5.6 rebound and 2.5 assist averages.
Following the season-ending loss to UCLA in the NCAA Tournament Elite Eight, Johnson hinted at a return to Baton Rouge fueled by dissatisfaction. Head coach Kim Mulkey also showed her appreciation for Johnson, who was the first McDonald's All-American she signed at LSU.
Just because Johnson passed on the draft doesn't make her a lock to return to LSU. There's always a slim chance she enters the portal and she's yet to announce her intention to wear purple and gold, but Johnson leaving would be a surprise. She'll be the focal point of LSU's offense along with Mikaylah Williams.
Johnson is one of multiple WNBA-draft eligible players who will return to college next season. National leading scorer Ta'Niya Latson from Florida State and Olivia Miles from Notre Dame both entered the transfer portal. UConn guard Azzi Fudd and UCLA center Lauren Betts will also stay with their programs.
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