After Angel Reese’s transition to pro, Flau’jae Johnson has taken over her leadership role. While it remains to be seen if the 21-year-old is the best player for this, LSU’s newest five-star recruit believes that she herself would be the perfect person to replace Reese, at least in her fashion sense. Though she will be playing in the class of 2025, her latest chat session suggests she is more than ready to take on Reese’s role for the Lady Tigers.

On Sunday’s interaction with the media, ZaKiyah Johnson was asked if there were any former LSU players she would like to connect with, maybe one in Chicago? The 17-year-old was quick to take the hint and enumerate the similarities between them, excited to continue the successful run.

“Angel. I know a lot of people say I give out the Angel Reese vibe. Like the fashion and all but that’s what the LSU brings out. Everything I really like about them. It’s the big stage, the glam and all that. But we’re also going to get buckets too. So, I’m excited,” ZaKiyah stated.

ZaKiyah is a five-star recruit who shared the announcement regarding her latest career move via social media on Sunday. She is the number four player in the country and decided to choose LSU over Kentucky and Louisville. During her junior campaign in 2023, ZaKiyah averaged a decent 18.9 points and 7.2 rebounds per game, helping her team – the Sacred Heart – to their third state title. Meanwhile, she is not the only five-star recruit in the 2025 class for Mulkey.

The Lady Tigers have already recruited Divine Bourrage and Bella Hines, who are two other five-star recruits for the class of 2025. While Bourrage is an Iowa native, Hines resided in New Mexico. The two are speculated to bring more energy into the squad considering their seniors Last-Tear Poa, and Aneesah Morrow will probably be leaving after this season. It will be really crucial for ZaKiyah to emulate the rebounding queen then.

The young talent is already confident in the program and what they have to offer. “They’re going to develop you into the player that you need to be and push you out of your comfort zone,” she admitted via 247 Sports. The 2023 championship has been the selling point of LSU for her and getting an opportunity to be a part of one herself, Johnson is determined to make the most. “I can’t wait to be part of a team that can win multiple national championships,” she says.

But for now, all of Kim Mulkey’s focus lies on the current season.

The Lady Tigers are on a quest to land another NCAA title

This season, the Baton Rouge team is getting its three starters from the previous season- Flau’jae, Morrow, and Mikaylah Williams. The team already has a lot of fan support as the season tickets have sold out and only the single-game tickets remain. Plus, with Flau’jae taking on the leadership role to compensate for Reese’s absence, Mulkey looks enthusiastic about their upcoming games.

The Lady Tigers have won both their exhibition games and are waiting for the regular season to start. While against the Xavier, LSU won by a 114-53 margin, they emerged victorious against the Alexandria as they scored 117 in comparison to their paltry 37 points.

Kailyn Gilbert, Flau’jae Johnson, and Jada Richard have been crucial so far, leading the offense, and shine with one of the best guard depths. But Mulkey is particularly concerned about their defense. “we got to get better on the perimeter and stop the team’s penetration,” she said after their previous game. Regardless, the HC remains optimistic with the talent. “I think we have enough depth and athleticism to clean up what we’re just kind of struggling to right now.”

2-0 in the bag, the LSU Tigers gear up to clash against Eastern Kentucky next and hopefully set the tone ZaKiyah Johnson and 2025-26 class are looking to carry forward.