Tag: Flau’Jae Johnson

Everything Kim Mulkey said following LSU’s win over Seton Hall

Here’s everything LSU women’s basketball coach Kim Mulkey said following Tuesday’s win

LSU stayed unbeaten on Tuesday as it defeated Seton Hall 91-64 in the Basketball Hall of Fame Showcase in Uncasville, CN. The Tigers’ 13-0 record is tied for the fifth-best start in program history.

[autotag]Aneesah Morrow[/autotag] finished with a double-double as she posted 24 points and 19 rebounds. [autotag]Mikaylah Williams[/autotag] also turned in an exceptional performance with 22 points and six three-pointers. [autotag]Flau’Jae Johnson[/autotag] and [autotag]Kailyn Gilbert[/autotag] rounded out the double-figure scorers with 17 and 14 points, respectively.

The Tigers and Pirates traded baskets throughout much of the first quarter. With a seven-point edge heading into the second, LSU broke the game open with an 11-0 run that lasted over six minutes. Williams totaled 14 points in the frame.

Seton Hall held a 24-19 scoring advantage in the third quarter but couldn’t put together a defensive effort to stop the consistent attack from LSU. Head coach Kim Mulkey cleared her bench in the fourth. The Tigers shot 53.7% from the field.

Here is everything Mulkey said in the postgame press conference.

Points in the Paint

Morrow’s double-double in Tuesday’s win was her fourth-straight game with at least 15 rebounds. Her performance brought her career rebound total to 1,412 and placed her in the top 25 for most rebounds in Division I history. Mulkey continues to be impressed by Morrow, along with Sa’Myah Smith and Jersey Wolfenbarger.

“We’re going to always get paint touches. I’m a coach that believes you have to get paint touches. You have to have these to win championships. We’ve got pretty outstanding guards. We’re going to let them shoot it out there and get us most touches occasionally.”

“She’s [Morrow] a walking double-double. When you go to a game, and you watch No. 24, I just want you to watch how hard she plays the game. I was you to watch how she can rebound with people who are much taller than her. I want you to watch how she never fatigues and gets tired.”

Mikaylah Williams

“I believe you probably make your biggest strides in your freshman or sophomore year. The challenge is, are you hungry? Are you content? She wants to really be good. She works at her game.”

“We’ve even thrown her in there to play some post with Morrow this year when we’ve gone small. She’s a confident player. If I had to say the biggest thing I want her to do is, I want her to stay healthy.”

Williams won SEC Freshman of the Year last season, but she’s dealt with inflammation in her foot, hindering her minutes thus far.

Clean Basketball

Following two games with over 20 turnovers, LSU held its giveaways to 13 against Seton Hall. The Pirates applied full-court pressure early and often throughout the contest, but the Tigers scored quickly and kept possession, which Mulkey appreciated.

“Our ability to score quickly against the press kept them from pressing as much.”

Homecomings

LSU’s last game against Louisiana took Williams to her hometown, where her high school plans to retire her number. When the Tigers travel to Chicago for a Thursday matchup with Illinois-Chicago, it will be a trip home for Morrow.

“It’s not easy to always take them back home, but we’ll try. It’s just something in your heart. I remember when I was a player. I always wanted to go back home and play in front of people that watched me grow up. It’s hard to do because you have to get an opponent to agree to it.”

“We brought all our cameras crew with us so that everybody can see where she [Morrow] grew up and what it was like for her growing up in Chicago. We did it for Angel [Reese] last year when we went to Coppin State. I hope we have a great crowd at that game, and I hope they are cheering for LSU.”

LSU desperately needs Flau’jae Johnson’s leadership to thrive in post-Angel Reese era

It’s time, Flau’jae. This is your team.

Looking at the LSU Lady Tigers this season, it’s clear that Kim Mulkey’s squad is struggling to find its leader. Team staple Angel Reese is no longer on the roster, and without her, LSU has seemingly lost its swagger, grit, and tough, no-nonsense type of basketball.

At the time of publishing, the Tigers are undefeated (12-0), and many wouldn’t bat an eye about a team steamrolling its competition. However, a light non-conference schedule hasn’t quelled the concerns about LSU. For example, there isn’t a ranked team with more 20-turnover games (5) than LSU. Moreover, Mulkey and her staff don’t believe the Lady Tigers have a clear leader.

Per Cory Diaz of the Lafayette Observer, LSU associate coach Bob Starkey expressed concern. “I think we have a void at leadership,” Starkey said. “When you do that, that can affect your team chemistry. We have certain players that want to lead at certain times, and that’s another area where we’re not consistent.”

To Starkey’s point, that couldn’t have been more evident during LSU’s win against Stanford. It took a combination of efforts from players like Mikaylah Williams and Kailyn Gilbert to walk away victorious. The win also included 21 points from Flau’jae Johnson, but she fouled out in overtime.

Transparently, a player of Flau’jae’s caliber can’t be off the floor with such a massive game on the line. It was a silent reminder that without Reese, Flau’jae has yet to step into the full-time leadership role that was left for her. Maybe she doesn’t have to lead the Tigers alone, but it’s clear. This is Flau’jae’s team.

There isn’t any other way around that, and to think otherwise is foolish. No one on the floor can do what she can at both ends or take over quite like she does. LSU is escaping with wins now because its schedule favors that. However, the road will only get more challenging when conference play begins, and until Flau’jae fully steps into the leadership spotlight, LSU will underachieve.

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What Flau’jae Johnson’s Unrivaled NIL deal means for her WNBA status

Flau’Jae Johnson’s Unrivaled deal might reveal her future WNBA plans.

LSU star Flau’jae Johnson has a new NIL deal with Unrivaled, and the partnership could have huge implications.

Despite having rosters loaded with talent, Unrivaled is ensuring that it also has stars for the foreseeable future. Earlier this year, the league announced a special NIL deal with UConn Huskies guard Paige Bueckers, and now it’s doing the same with LSU’s Flau’jae Johnson.

On Thursday, the new basketball organization announced that it’s signing the young hooper to a sponsorship that ensures her league equity. As part of the agreement, she will also create unique content for Unrivaled. (Perhaps we’ll get some Flau’jae originals or hype music from the rapper.)

https://www.instagram.com/flaujae/reel/DDNEnYnJtPg/

However, there’s a big elephant in the room. Johnson is still in college and has yet to indicate if she’s going to the WNBA, leaving many to wonder what her new deal means for the future.

Here’s a hint: Per Austin Karp of Sports Business Journal, Flau’jae is expected to join Unrivaled in January 2026. Johnson would have to forgo her senior season at LSU to do that. If she decides to skip her final year, it could also mean she’s declaring early and going to the 2025 WNBA Draft.

She would technically meet the league’s criteria of being a senior or turning 22 in the same calendar year as the draft. That means she could play an entire WNBA season with Bueckers and still join her in Miami when Unrivaled’s second year starts.

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LSU women’s basketball extends win streak, beats NC Central

LSU women’s basketball remained unbeaten with a win over NC Central on Sunday

LSU women’s basketball took care of business on Sunday afternoon with a 131-44 victory over NC Central. The Tigers’ point total is the second highest in program history, two shy of the record.

Head coach [autotag]Kim Mulkey[/autotag] won her 100th game as LSU’s leader, the quickest coach to do so in school history, men’s or women’s.

Nine LSU players scored in double-figures. [autotag]Flau’Jae Johnson[/autotag] led the pack with 22 points and four blocks while Kailyn Gilbert chipped in a season-high 19 points along with four steals.

The Tigers’ balanced attack continued in the paint as Aneesah Morrow turned in 17 points and 11 rebounds for her seventh-straight double-double. Fellow forward [autotag]Sa’Myah Smith[/autotag] added 13 points and nine rebounds.

In her first game with extended playing time, Mjracle Sheppard finished with 10 points and a team-high seven steals. The Tigers came away with 23 steals, part of the Eagles’ 33 turnovers, and turned those giveaways into 53 points.

For the second time this season, LSU shut out its opponent in the second quarter. The Eagles shot 25% from the field and finished with one player in double-figures as forward Morgan Callahan posted 13 points and eight rebounds.

The Tigers improved to 9-0 on the season and face Stanford at home on Thursday.

What Kim Mulkey said after LSU’s win over Tulane

What did Kim Mulkey say after LSU’s win over Tulane?

LSU women’s basketball notched a win over in-state Tulane on Wednesday, beating the Green Wave 85-74.

[autotag]Flau’Jae Johnson[/autotag] continues to lead the way, scoring 25 points to go along with 12 rebounds and five assists. [autotag]Aneesah Morrow[/autotag] posted another double-double, scoring 23 and bringing down 11 boards.

LSU struggled from behind the arch, going 3/16. All three buckets came from Johnson, who was 3/6 from deep.

Off the bench, Jersey Wolfenbarger scored 15 points in 26 minutes. She helped LSU outscore Tulane by 20 points in the paint.

LSU was in control for most of the night, but Tulane made it a little interesting with a late run.

The Tigers haven’t been as dominant as usual in their last two contests, but Kim Mulkey’s crew is 6-0 on the year. LSU will be back in action next week, leaving home for the first time to face Washington in the Bahamas. LSU is expected to be favored again there and won’t face a ranked team until South Carolina on Jan. 23.

Here’s what LSU head coach Kim Mulkey said following the win.

On the versatility of Aneesah Morrow

“The kid just has a motor. It’s like in life, you want to be around people that have energy and enthusiasm and it matters to them and they just never stop, no matter if they make a shot, miss a shot, get a rebound, they don’t get a rebound. She’s constantly working. No one outworks her.”

On inconsistency

“I thought we just became very complacent, jacking up shots, one pass, one shot, one pass, one shot,” Mulkey said.

Mulkey said the team will get better at mixing up offensive looks with better ball movement as they get more experience playing together.

On the veteran experience of Last-Tear Poa

“The impact can be her experience. She’s going to take charges. She’s going to open her mouth. And all that is good, she knows the position. She can play any of the three positions on the perimeter for us. She will tell you her true position is the off guard. She’s been very unselfish in playing the point for us. It’s good to have her back,” Mulkey said.

Mulkey added that she expects Poa’s production to get “better and better.”

On figuring this team out

Mulkey said this team is trying to figure out what its identity is.

“It may be a while before I know the identity of our team. I just know that when you’ve got five players and they go four of 23, we’re better than that.”

Mulkey said it has to be more than just Johnson and Morrow getting it done.

“But these other players are good. And I’m going to challenge them because you’re missing wide-open layups. And it’s not the defense. If it was the defense, the opponent, I’d give those guys credit. I’m one that will always give credit to the opponent, but we’re just missing chippies.”

On leadership

Mulkey took some time to share her thoughts on younger players’ willingness to lead.

“I don’t know why young people don’t want to lead anymore. Do you have a suggestion? I think I know why. Because they want everybody to like them. Leaders aren’t going to be liked. Leaders are going to challenge their teammates. Leaders are going to hold them accountable. I never had a problem just leading and guiding as a point guard, and taking care of them, but challenging. Kids don’t want to lead anymore,” Mulkey said.

On the LSU – Tulane rivalry

“I’m not sure our team knows the rivalry between LSU and Tulane. And you know why? I think we only got three that are from the state of Louisiana,” Mulkey said.

“You spend time as a coach to try and make them understand the history of Tulane and LSU athletics. And you have to put that out there in your scouting report. And part of putting that out there was they’re not going away, and they didn’t.”

“I grew up 40 minutes from here and all I ever heard was Tulane and LSU, and so that score tonight and that competitiveness did not surprise me.”

LSU women’s basketball avoids upset, beats Murray State

LSU women’s basketball was tested on Friday night, but Mulkey’s crew got the win

Despite trailing by nine points at halftime, LSU women’s basketball recovered and defeated Murray State 74-60 in Friday’s game.

The Tigers held the Racers to 14 second half points after being outscored 32-12 in the second quarter.

LSU moves to 4-0 on the young season, though this was its first real test of the season after three blowout victories where they won by over 50 points.

[autotag]Flau’Jae Johnson[/autotag] finished with 25 points, 10 of which were scored in the fourth quarter. She has double-digit point lines in LSU’s first four games. The guard added seven rebounds and five assists.

[autotag]Mikaylah Williams[/autotag] and [autotag]Aneesah Morrow[/autotag] also finished in double-figures with  15 and 10 points, respectively. Morrow pulled down 14 rebounds to turn in her third double-double of the season.

Both teams turned the ball over 15 or more times. LSU recovered from an abysmal showing in the second frame where it shot 23.53% from the field. The Tigers shot over 50% in the second half.

LSU next game is Monday at home against Troy.

LSU women’s basketball adds another five-star recruit to 2025 class

Kim Mulkey and LSU are gearing up to land the top class in the country after adding another five-star on Wednesday

Kim Mulkey is one of the top recruiters in women’s college basketball and she proved it again on Wednesday, adding another five-star to LSU’s loaded 2025 class.

Forward Grace Knox, from Rancho Cucamonga, CA, announced her pledge to LSU.

ESPN ranks Knox as the No. 6 overall player in the class, giving LSU four five-star recruits in its 2025 class. Knox joins Zakiyah Johnson, Divine Bourrage, and Bella Hines.

Knox announced the commitment with a post on social media.

LSU now has three of the top 12 players in the 247Sports rankings and the class has a good chance to finish as the nation’s best.

Mulkey and staff continue to amass talent, giving LSU sticking power near the top of the sport. The Tigers are up there with the sport’s elite programs now and LSU recruits from a national pool of players.

Knox told On3’s Talia Goodman that she was drawn to Mulkey’s straightforward coaching style.

“I feel like Kim Mulkey will push me to a different level,” Knox said, “She’s controversial to some people, but the way she coaches, I’m OK with that.”

When the class arrives on campus, Mulkey should have her most talented group yet, especially if [autotag]Flau’jae Johnson[/autotag] and [autotag]Mikaylah Williams[/autotag] are still around.

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LSU women’s hoops dominates again in final exhibition game

The Tigers wrapped up their exhibition schedule with a 117-37 win on Wednesday night.

Two exhibition games down, and the LSU women’s basketball team looks to be in tip-top shape entering the season. Once again, it wasn’t even close as the Tigers dispatched an overmatched NAIA opponent in LSU-Alexandria, winning 117-37.

It was another big game for star junior guard [autotag]Flau’Jae Johnson[/autotag], who led the team with 29 points. Transfer [autotag]Kailyn Gilbert[/autotag] was another standout, finishing second behind Johnson with 26 points.

Six Tigers scored in double figures with Johnson and Gilbert joined by [autotag]Aneesah Morrow[/autotag] (15 points), [autotag]Jada Richard[/autotag] (14), [autotag]Sa’Myah Smith[/autotag] (12) and [autotag]Aalyah Del Rosario[/autotag] (10 points). Smith, returning from a season-ending injury last year, also notched a double-double with 10 rebounds.

LSU shot a stunning 67.7% from the field in this game, including 5 of 9 on three-point attempts, while holding the Generals to 22.8% shooting and forcing 25 turnovers.

With a pair of tuneup exhibitions under their belt, the Tigers are ready to begin the regular season on Monday night with a contest against Eastern Kentucky.

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Flau’Jae Johnson named to preseason watch list for several women’s basketball national awards

Flau’Jae Johnson is expected to have a big year for the Tigers.

It’s the beginning of a new era of sorts for the LSU women’s basketball program.

While it loses [autotag]Angel Reese[/autotag], the biggest star from the deep tournament runs the last two seasons, and will rely on a veteran-heavy transfer class, it also returns some key contributors. [autotag]Flau’Jae Johnson[/autotag], who had a breakout season as a sophomore last year, is chief among them.

Johnson, along with teammate [autotag]Aneesah Morrow[/autotag], is the preseason Co-SEC Player of the Year. She has now been named to multiple watch lists for postseason awards.

On Monday, Johnson was named to the watch list for the Naismith Trophy, given to the top player in the nation, and on Tuesday, she also made the cut for the Ann Meyers Drysdale Award, which is given to the top shooting guard.

In the first exhibition of the season against Xavier (New Orleans), Johnson paced the team with 30 points and 10 rebounds in a double-double outing. The Tigers face LSU-Alexandria in another exhibition on Thursday before beginning the regular season against Eastern Kentucky on Monday.

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LSU women’s basketball rolls in exhibition opener against Xavier (New Orleans)

The Tigers’ new-look roster took the court together for the first time in an exhibition win on Thursday night at the PMAC.

The 2024-25 LSU women’s basketball team took the court for the first time on Thursday night in an exhibition matchup against Xavier (New Orleans) at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center, and it was an impressive debut.

The Tigers rolled against the NAIA opponent, beating the Gold Nuggets 114-53.

It was a huge game for junior star [autotag]Flau’Jae Johnson[/autotag], whose 30-point, 10-rebound double-double paced the team. [autotag]Aneesah Morrow[/autotag] also recorded a double-double with 19 points and 10 rebounds of her own.

LSU’s newcomers made a solid first impression as well, with three of them scoring in double figures. Transfers [autotag]Jersey Wolfenbarger[/autotag] and [autotag]Mjracle Sheppard[/autotag] each scored 12 points, while [autotag]Jada Richard[/autotag], the top player in Louisiana and most highly touted member of LSU’s 2024 signing class, scored 14 points in her first appearance with the purple and gold.

The Tigers shot 58.2% from the field in a prolific offensive performance, including a 6 of 13 mark from three-point range, where LSU struggled last season. The defense impressed against a lower-division opponent, holding Xavier to 34% shooting while forcing 33 turnovers that resulted in a whopping 47 points for LSU going the other way.

It was the kind of showing the Tigers wanted to see in the exhibition, and they’ll look for a similar result when they host LSU-Alexandria next Wednesday. Coach Kim Mulkey’s team opens the regular season against Eastern Kentucky on Nov. 4.

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