LSU's Flau'jae Johnson Embraces Leadership Role in Senior Season

The NIL superstar chose to return for her fourth year, helping build the program and guide younger teammates.

Mar. 27, 2026 at 10:00am

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Flau'jae Johnson, a standout guard for the LSU women's basketball team, decided to return for her senior season despite having the option to enter the WNBA draft early. Johnson, who has built a massive social media following and signed a deal with Roc Nation, wanted to spend one more year with the program she helped build and finish her college career as a four-year player at one institution.

Why it matters

Johnson's decision to stay at LSU showcases her commitment to the program and her desire to be a leader for the younger players on the team. As the only active player remaining from LSU's 2023 national championship team, Johnson's experience and mentorship are invaluable for the Tigers as they aim to make another deep NCAA tournament run.

The details

Though Johnson's stats have dipped slightly this season as LSU's backcourt has become more crowded, she has embraced a new role, focusing on defense, rebounding, and mentoring her younger teammates. Johnson volunteered to take a smaller role, knowing it would benefit the team, and has challenged herself to incorporate the best parts of her teammates' games into her own play.

  • Johnson considered entering the WNBA draft last spring after her junior season.
  • Johnson announced her decision to return to LSU for her senior year in August 2025.
  • LSU is currently competing in the Sweet 16 of the 2026 NCAA Tournament.

The players

Flau'jae Johnson

A senior guard for the LSU women's basketball team who has become an NIL superstar, with over 4.2 million Instagram followers. She helped build the LSU program and is the only active player remaining from the team's 2023 national championship squad.

Kim Mulkey

The head coach of the LSU women's basketball team, who praised Johnson's commitment to the program and her willingness to embrace a leadership role this season.

Gary Redus II

A former LSU assistant coach who left the team earlier in March to become the head coach at Rutgers. He highlighted Johnson's patience and ability to adapt her game to benefit the team.

Izzy Besselman

The other four-year senior on the LSU roster, who described Johnson as someone who "lights up the room" with her easygoing and sunny personality.

ZaKiyah Johnson

A freshman guard who has stepped into a starting role for LSU this season, allowing Flau'jae Johnson to take on a slightly different role.

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What they’re saying

“She said it from Day 1. In our first team meeting, once the team was together, she was O.K. with sacrificing, and she said she knew if she sacrificed, everyone else would be O.K. with also sacrificing.”

— Gary Redus II, Former LSU Assistant Coach

“She took a chance on LSU before this staff ever won. As a coach, man, you hope you can just coach those kinds of kids.”

— Kim Mulkey, LSU Head Coach

“It's just been fun, playing with fast, dynamic guards. Anything can happen. It just made me want to up my game—like, my all-around game. It's just so much to learn from. I'm that type of person. Anybody's game where I feel like, I like this, I'm going to take it.”

— Flau'jae Johnson

What’s next

LSU will face Duke in the Sweet 16 of the 2026 NCAA Tournament on Friday, March 28th. Johnson and the Tigers will look to advance to the Elite Eight as she continues her final collegiate season.

The takeaway

Flau'jae Johnson's decision to return to LSU for her senior season, despite having the option to turn pro, demonstrates her commitment to the program she helped build and her desire to be a leader for the younger players on the team. Her willingness to adapt her game and sacrifice for the betterment of the team sets an example for her teammates and shows that she is more than just an NIL superstar - she is a true team player.