LSU star Flau’jae Johnson has decided not to declare for the 2025 WNBA Draft, according to The Athletic’s Sabreena Merchant. Johnson will instead return for her senior season with the Tigers in hopes of improving on their consecutive Elite Eight appearances.

Though she is only a junior, Johnson was eligible for the draft as she will turn 22 in November. Draft eligibility rules state that a player must be a graduating senior or turn 22 in the year of the draft.

After LSU’s loss to UCLA in the Elite Eight on Sunday, Johnson expressed indecision about her future, stating:

“I don’t know. Got to talk to Coach [Kim] Mulkey, talk to my family. I don’t know.”

Johnson averaged 18.6 points and 5.6 rebounds per game last season and would have been a lottery pick had she declared, especially following Notre Dame’s Olivia Miles opting for the transfer portal instead of the draft. Multiple reasons support Johnson’s decision to stay, mainly due to the anticipated rise in WNBA salaries under a new collective bargaining agreement.

Johnson emphasized her desire to capture another national championship, having played a significant role in LSU’s title in 2023, but seeking to lead her own team to victory. As she stated:

“I want my own one, you know what I’m saying? Where I lead the team. That’s what you really want.”

Her return is a critical boost for LSU amidst the loss of talent, including forward Aneesah Morrow going to the WNBA and others entering the transfer portal. Johnson’s leadership alongside Mikaylah Williams aims to maintain LSU’s competitiveness, further supported by the second-best recruiting class in the country.

In the WNBA context, Johnson’s decision significantly impacts teams like the Seattle Storm, Washington Mystics, and Golden State Valkyries, all of whom may have anticipated drafting her as a high-level backcourt option.