Potential WNBA lottery decide offers replace on draft choice

Flau’Jae Johnson may very well be headed to the WNBA as quickly as subsequent month. That’s, if the LSU star decides to forego her fourth season of school and as an alternative go skilled after three faculty seasons, one thing she’s eligible to do as a result of she turns 22 in November.

Johnson, who was considered one of LSU’s greatest gamers within the 2024-25 season, mentioned after LSU’s 72-65 loss to UCLA that she had not but determined whether or not or not she would enter the draft, noting that she’d take “every thing” into consideration.

“[I’ve] obtained to speak to Coach [Kim] Mulkey, speak to my household,” Johnson mentioned within the locker room , per ESPN. “I don’t know.”

Johnson’s event run ended with a Candy Sixteen loss on Sunday. Whereas Johnson struggled within the first half, she ended the night time with a 28-point (10-17 FG), 4-assist, 4-rebound, 2-block, 3-steal efficiency.

Nonetheless, it wasn’t sufficient to beat the top-seeded Bruins, who superior to their first Ultimate 4 look in program historical past. LSU falls within the Elite Eight for the second consecutive 12 months following their 2023 NCAA championship.

Is Flau’Jae Johnson WNBA-ready?

Johnson spent three seasons at LSU, averaging 14.6 factors, 5.7 rebounds, and a couple of.3 assists per recreation. She demonstrated her three-point taking pictures capability all through her faculty profession, hitting 36.3% from past the arc.

Her junior 12 months season was her greatest but; she averaged a career-best 18.3 factors. She was named to the All American third-team. The 5’10 guard has the makings of a professional, and the velocity and athleticism to thrive within the WNBA.

She can be considered one of a number of girls’s faculty basketball gamers who’re dedicated to enjoying in Unequalled, the brand new offseason 3-on-3 girls’s basketball co-founded by Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart. That provide stands no matter whether or not she declares for the draft this 12 months or subsequent.

If Johnson is to enter the draft, she very properly may very well be a lottery decide. LSU teammate Aneesah Morrow has additionally entered the 2025 WNBA Draft, as has Johnson’s good buddy UConn star Paige Bueckers, who is anticipated to be picked first total. Different prime picks on most mock drafts embrace French middle Dominique Malonga, USC ahead Kiki Iriafen, Notre Dame guards Sonia Citron and Olivia Miles, and Maryland guard Shyanne Sellers. Johnson very properly may discover herself within the combine — as long as she doesn’t return for a fourth season at LSU.