"Mulkey gave Johnson and Brooks space to work through it. Even from afar, the coach had a sense of where the conversation might land. "I never worried about it," Mulkey told ESPN. "I knew the quality of person and family that I signed, and she wanted that college degree. And she's not going to leave somewhere where she's got unfinished business.""
""I didn't want to go out on a loss when I didn't have to," Johnson said. "If I have another year, why not try to go out as a champion? I owe it to LSU. I owe it to Baton Rouge. A lot of players don't stay four years anymore. I'm loyal to the soil.""
"She had every reason to feel ready for the next level. She started all 36 regular-season games, averaging 11.0 points, 5.9 rebounds and 1.9 assists and winning SEC Freshman of the Year during the 2022-23 NCAA title run. After two more Elite Eight appearances, she could have walked away content after her junior season."
"Over the past three seasons, Johnson has become the steadying presence on a roster that has turned over constantly. Teammates graduated, left for the WNBA or transferred, while new stars arrived. Through all of it, Johnson has remained the program's anchor and the last tie to the championship team. "No matter who transferred, no matter who came in, no matter who left, I was always [me]," Johnson said. "I think that's what just made me so good. I'm always able to adapt.""
Johnson weighed the professional opportunities of the WNBA against a strong desire to complete her college degree and pursue another championship at LSU. Coach Mulkey respected Johnson's decision and trusted her commitment to finishing school and unfinished business. Johnson averaged 11.0 points, 5.9 rebounds and 1.9 assists while starting all 36 regular-season games and earning SEC Freshman of the Year during the 2022-23 title run. Over three seasons Johnson became the roster's steadying presence amid constant turnover, serving as the program's anchor and the last remaining link to the championship team through adaptability and exceptional work ethic.
Read at ESPN.com
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