Flau’jae Johnson is expected to move quickly from an abrupt LSU ending to the next stage of her career as a likely first-round WNBA draft pick. Her collegiate run ended with a Sweet 16 loss to Duke, but the turnaround has been fast for a player now preparing workouts, camp, and draft night at the same time.
The LSU guard has already been recognized in Baton Rouge with a key to the city, even as the draft clock keeps ticking. Johnson said the process has felt nonstop, adding, “This whole process is crazy,” while noting that she is focused on training and getting ready for the professional level.
A rapid transition to the pro game
Johnson is projected by multiple outlets as a first-round selection in the upcoming WNBA draft in New York City. ESPN’s latest mock draft has the Chicago Sky taking her at No. 5, while The Athletic projects the Washington Mystics at No. 9.
Her draft position would continue a strong run of LSU talent entering the league. Angel Reese and Aneesah Morrow were both selected seventh overall in their respective drafts, and Johnson would give the Tigers three straight years with a first-round pick for the first time in program history if she lands in the top 15.
Johnson also enters the draft under a new financial structure in the WNBA. The league’s recently ratified collective bargaining agreement raises rookie pay significantly, with first-year players now set to earn at least $270,000 annually, a sharp increase from the modest five-figure salaries under the previous deal.
New money, new expectations
Johnson said she has been tracking the league’s labor agreement closely and called it a “transformational deal.” She pointed to the jump in pay as a major shift for the next wave of players and said the changes around housing and travel also matter.
- Minimum rookie salary: at least $270,000 annually
- Previous rookie range: modest five-figure salaries
- Key change: improved pay, housing, and travel standards
- Timing: the first rookie class under the new CBA
That financial backdrop adds another layer to Johnson’s arrival. Her next contract could put her in a far stronger position than many rookies before her, which makes the transition from college to the WNBA more significant than a standard draft night.
What teams get in Johnson
Johnson brings length, athleticism, and perimeter versatility to the next level. She can score in transition, handle multiple defensive assignments, and stretch the floor, which gives WNBA teams a flexible two-way option on the wing.
Her senior season at LSU had uneven stretches, but she still posted a career-best 39% from three-point range and lowered her turnovers to 1.7 per game. Those improvements matter for pro teams that value efficient shooting and reliable decision-making from perimeter scorers.
Johnson’s production also rose in the biggest moments. Across the past three seasons, she averaged 15.4 points on 47% shooting in regular-season games, then improved to 18.6 points on 54% shooting in NCAA Tournament play.
Why her profile still stands out
Johnson’s scoring record at LSU places her among the program’s most productive players. Only five players have scored more points in LSU uniform, and two of them, Seimone Augustus and Sylvia Fowles, went on to become first-round WNBA selections.
That history increases the expectation that Johnson will become the 10th LSU player drafted into the league. Her final college memory may have come sooner than expected, but her body of work still points to a player with clear professional value.
The WNBA will likely evaluate her consistency closely, since she had games with 20 or more points and others where she finished below 10. Even so, her size, skill set, and big-game scoring suggest a player who can fit into several different systems and contribute early if she lands in the right role.
Johnson said she is not focused on draft-day pressure and instead trusts her ability to adapt. “I don’t have any expectations,” she said, signaling that her attention has already shifted to the challenge ahead as one of LSU’s most visible players prepares for the WNBA spotlight.
