LSU’s roster underwent a lot of changes this summer. Most notably, forward Aneesah Morrow was drafted seventh overall by the Connecticut Sun, taking LSU’s leading scorer from the 2024-25 season. With several freshmen and some transfers coming in, the roster looks very different.
Having so many new faces on the roster could cause some issues early on, as players work to build chemistry with each other and newcomers figure out their roles. Having a senior who spent her entire college career with the same team can go a long way in that situation. Flau’jae Johnson is ready to rise to the challenge and be a leader for LSU.
In a recent interview with Johnson, The Athletic’s Sabreena Merchant asked how big a role the LSU star would have to play to make sure the team gels quickly. Johnson said, “It falls on me 100% because I know the system, I know what we need to do, I know what needs to happen, and I know what Coach Mulkey wants, so I have to be an active leader, lead by example, so they know what to do, and do the right thing on and off the court.”
LSU has eight new players coming into the 2025-26 season
Much of LSU’s roster will be made up of freshmen this season with five first-year players coming in. Grace Knox, Bella Hines, Divine Bourrage, ZaKiyah Johnson, and Meghan Yarnevich are all freshmen. At least some of them will have to play big roles.
On top of that, LSU also has three transfers on the roster in Amiya Joyner, Kate Koval, and MiLaysia Fulwiley. The latter should play quite a big role immediately and Joyner was the leading scorer and rebounder for her former team before transferring.
All in all, LSU’s roster includes only five returning players. Jada Richard and Kailyn Gilbert are entering their second season with the team, Izzy Besselman and Mikaylah Williams are gearing up for season three, and Flau’jae Johnson is entering her fourth season. Johnson is the longest-tenured LSU player and was a part of the 2023 championship team. The only other member of that team who is still on the roster is Izzy Besselman. She barely played, though.
Johnson has been an integral part of Kim Mulkey’s system for the last three years and will now have to step into a leadership role on and off the court.
As a senior and one of the top players in college basketball, Johnson is expected to hear her name called early in the 2026 WNBA Draft. She is already projected to be a lottery pick and a big senior season will help her solidify that standing. That doesn’t just include strong on-court performances. Impressive displays of leadership can also help raise WNBA teams’ interest in Johnson.