Breaking: Five-star ZaKiyah Johnson commits to LSU, Kim Mulkey
LSU has pulled off a massive recruiting win in the 2025 class as five-star ZaKiyah Johnson has committed to the Tigers, she announced on Sunday afternoon. The Shelbyville, Kentucky native chose Kim Mulkey and LSU over two in-state teams vying for her commitment in Louisville and Kentucky.
Johnson is the No. 4 player on the On3 women’s basketball rankings and took all of her official visits this fall, starting with LSU on Sept. 7, then Kentucky Sept. 21, and ended with Louisville on Oct. 21, giving the Cardinals one final shot to keep Johnson home, but it was not enough in the end.
LSU had made Johnson a priority since 2023, visiting her and constantly staying in contact as Kim Mulkey and assistant coach Gary Redus have been persistent from the start, building strong relationships.
“I’m definitely really close with all the staff there,” Johnson told On3 over the summer. “They’re really energetic and I like that. I’m an energetic person too – I’m very social – so I think we click there. The fact that we can have long conversations is good for me.”
Johnson is a versatile wing at 6-feet tall who has had success at every stop and adds more exciting potential to the Tigers’ 2025 class as LSU looks to build one of the top classes in the nation. Johnson averaged 18.9 points, 7.3 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 2.1 steals while shooting 48 percent and leading Sacred Heart to a state title with a 31-7 record last year. Johnson begins her senior season Dec. 3, capping her incredible high school career.
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“I’m versatile,” Johnson told On3. “Whether it’s playing or being a leader, I can lead in different ways – whether it’s vocal or with my play. On the court, I can be anywhere I need to be, but being more vocal is something I’ve really worked on… I kind of just let my game talk for me, but now that I have these younger girls, just speaking up and making sure they understand how they should. I really think it’ll help me when I go to the next level.”
Johnson joins Bella Hines and Divine Bourrage in LSU’s 2025 class, putting the Tigers as the only program in the nation to have three top 25 commits in this class. Hines is ranked No. 24 on On3’s rankings, while Bourrage checks in at No. 7.
LSU begins its 2024-25 season on Monday night against Eastern Kentucky and the early signing period goes from Nov. 13-20 when Johnson and the 2025 class will put pen to paper. Kim Mulkey has made another statement on the recruiting trail, plucking Kentucky’s top player out of the state, further showing she’s building another dynasty in Baton Rouge.
