The 2025 WNBA Draft is officially in the books. Paige Bueckers led the way, while Adja Kane wrapped things up as the final pick of the night. In total, 38 players saw their dreams inch closer to reality, each one hoping to carve out a spot in the W. But here’s something fans, especially the newer ones, might not know! Just because a player was drafted doesn’t mean they’ve made a WNBA roster. The league is brutal like that, something Golden State signee Laeticia Amihere alluded to in a TikTok last year. And now, Flau’jae Johnson has also had her say on the matter.
“Don’t stop supporting them—even if [they get cut,] does not mean they’re bad, that’s just how the league is,” Amihere had claimed. Roughly a week after a champion is crowned in the women’s NCAA tournament, a new chapter begins. Dozens of hopeful rookies are drafted into the WNBA, full of dreams and ready to take the leap. They pack up, head to their new cities, and give it everything they’ve got in training camp. But the reality? When final rosters drop in May, barely half of those drafted end up making the cut. It’s a brutal introduction to the league–and a reminder of just how tough it is to stick around in the W.
Flau’jae Johnson didn’t hold back when talking about the harsh reality of the WNBA. She says, “What really just irritates me is like a lot of these girls probably would like never had a chance to get drafted– never thought they would get drafted. Right now everybody’s celebrating like these are lifelong dreams and now they’re celebrating, and boom, you have to have roster cuts, like you know what I’m saying, it’s like a short-lived happiness.”
There are only 156 total roster spots in the entire WNBA. That’s 13 teams, each carrying a minimum of 11 and a maximum of just 12 players. So yeah, openings are rare. Unlike the NBA, there’s no G League equivalent in the WNBA. Once training camp begins on April 27th, it’s go-time. And those who don’t make the cut?
Most of them head overseas to continue their careers. Just look at the numbers. Only 13 drafted players made opening day rosters in 2024. In 2023, that number was 15. And in 2022? Just 17. That’s the reality of trying to make it in the W, which Flau’jae is well aware of.
Some names, like Paige Bueckers from UConn, Kiki Iriafen from USC, and Dominique Malonga out of France, are pretty much locks to make a roster. No surprises there. Teams like the expansion Valkyries and the Connecticut Sun–who had a bit of a rough offseason– are actively on the hunt for fresh talent. But for most players who heard their names called on draft night in Manhattan? The harsh WNBA reality still looms large for them.
Maybe that’s part of why Flau’jae Johnson decided to hold off on the draft this year. With two new teams–the Toronto Tempo and the Portland franchise–joining the league next year, more spots will open up, giving her an even better shot at making it. The timing just didn’t feel right this year. But make no mistake, she’s not sitting still. Flau’jae’s been busy making offseason moves.
Flau’jae Johnson makes NIL announcement
The LSU guard announced her decision to return for another season in Baton Rouge instead of entering the 2025 WNBA Draft a few weeks back. This surprised many fans initially. But now? It’s all starting to make sense. Flau’jae just dropped another major NIL bag—this time with a starring role in Foot Locker and Puma’s brand-new “Stay in Rotation” campaign.
Jan 19, 2025; Gainesville, Florida, USA; LSU Tigers guard Flau’jae Johnson (4) shakes hands while being introduced before a game against the Florida Gators at Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
She’s front and center in Puma’s latest spring ad push, crafted with creative agency We Are Social. The collection includes fresh looks from the Speedcat, Speedcat Ballet, and La France lines. For Flau’jae, it’s just another W in what’s quickly becoming one of the most stacked NIL résumés in the game.
She’s already teamed up with brands like Experian, Powerade, Google Pixel, and of course, Puma. She even led a Puma campaign last fall to kick off the basketball season. Her call to run it back with LSU is looking smarter by the day. With WNBA roster spots tough to come by and NIL bags rolling in, staying in college isn’t just about basketball anymore. It’s also smart, financially.
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