The LSU Tigers’ women’s basketball team put themselves on the map with the 2023 Championship victory. That year, and then again in 2024, Angel Reese was a mainstay despite losing in 2024. But now that she’s in the WNBA, the rest of her talented teammates will try to repeat last year’s feat in 2025. And Flau’jae Johnson believes the team has one distinct advantage.

On her YouTube channel, Best of Both Worlds, Johnson refers to the first practice LSU had on Monday, September 23 on the main floor of the PMAC. “The first practice was dope…We looking good, we looking fast, and we learning a lot on the fly so I’m excited. I’m looking to play all the SEC teams for real. Like, last year we lost games we shouldn’t have lost so, I’m definitely ready to play those players and teams and get that revenge back.”

Johnson also mentioned how she’s “just really ready to dominate the season and go to the tournament.” With Reese gone, the Tigers roster still has some depth with almost 5 new players. “We got a whole new team but this year we got more depth. I just gotta see, like that first scrimmage is gonna tell me a lot, we haven’t had our first scrimmage yet…I know it’s gonna be cool, but we just gotta see man.”

While guard Hailey Van Lith is now with the the TCU Horned Frogs, Mikaylah Williams is back. There is also Mjracle Sheppard, who is offensively versatile; Shyeanne Day-Wilson, a highly coveted player, who may or may not make it to the starting 5 yet because there is also Last-Tear Poa.

Aneesah Morrow, Arkansas transfer Jersey Wolfenbarger, and Kailyn Gilbert add to the rest of the roster. Meanwhile, Sa’Myah Smith is coming back from an ACL tear but was moving well on Monday. Aalyah Del Rosario is also coming back from offseason surgery, and Coach Mulkey revealed that she will miss the start of the 2024-2025 season beginning on Nov. 4.

Nevertheless, as Flau’jae Johnson put it, “The open practice was crazy, there were so many people there. Probably our most full open practice we ever had.” This practice was, like the last few years with coach Kim Mulkey have been, a practice open to fans. LSU Sports reported that the first 300 students at the open practice would receive free pizza.

While Mulkey has been instrumental in taking LSU ahead, does she think Angel Reese’s loss will cause the team harm?

With Flau’jae Johnson and Co., Kim Mulkey feels no pressure without Angel Reese

Kim Mulkey and Angel Reese haven’t always seen eye to eye. In fact, on her Sept. 5 podcast, the Chicago Sky rookie candidly admitted, “Me and Kim Mulkey kind of got into it.” Despite their rocky past, when asked how the LSU Tigers would fare without their former star, Mulkey remained unfazed. With the likes of Flau’jae Johnson stepping up, the LSU coach wasn’t feeling the pressure.

“I don’t think there was any pressure, even when Angel was here. Each kid has just got a different personality… it might not be in comparison to Angel, but the personalities just kind of rise to the top when they get comfortable,” Mulkey said confidently.

And rise to the top, Flau’jae Johnson has. Taking her role as a leader seriously, the rising star has embraced the responsibility left behind by Reese’s departure. “Yeah, the spotlight will be on me,” Johnson told the New York Post. “But that’s why basketball is a team sport. I have to lead them. I’m the captain… I want to build my team up because I want to do something special at LSU.”

While Angel Reese’s departure was certainly a significant loss for the Tigers, Johnson has proven that one player doesn’t make the team. With a new roster looking strong, even as they work to find their rhythm, the depth of LSU’s squad is promising. Will Flau’jae Johnson and the Tigers bring home another trophy next year? Only time will tell, but all eyes are on Baton Rouge as this new chapter unfolds.