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COMMIT NEWS: Nation’s 5-Star Recruit Flips Commitment To LSU Basketball Due To Unprecedented Pitch
LSU basketball has landed a commitment from a five-star recruit who flipped from a rival program, marking the second major recruiting win for the Tigers in as many months.
The commitment comes as new LSU head coach Will Wade continues to make a statement since his return to Baton Rouge. While the exact name of the most recent flip has yet to be confirmed by the program, the Tigers have been actively pursuing some of the highest-rated prospects in the nation, with at least one five-star target having already made the decision to don the purple and gold.
A Program Rebuilt on Winning and Familiarity
For LSU’s women’s program, the recruitment of local talent has been the key to a No. 1 recruiting class. The Tigers recently secured a commitment from Louisiana’s top high school player, five-star center Caroline Bradley . However, the most recent high-profile flip belongs to ZaKiyah Johnson, the top high school prospect in the state of Kentucky.
Johnson, a 6-foot-1 guard ranked as the No. 13 overall prospect in the class of 2025, chose LSU over a final group of six that included the University of Kentucky, Louisville, Notre Dame, USC, and South Carolina . The decision sent shockwaves through the SEC and the Bluegrass State.
“I was just sitting there and just kind of like, ‘I want to do something different,'” Johnson said, explaining her thought process . “LSU felt a lot like home, but I knew it was far so I could be on my own. So I would be comfortable, but I would also have that challenge of taking the responsibilities of being on my own and having to do a lot for myself.”
Johnson’s commitment was a significant blow to Kentucky and Louisville, both of whom had pursued the elite guard for years . She noted that her official visit to LSU was unexpected in how familiar it felt, describing a “country vibe” mixed with the city atmosphere that immediately clicked with her .
Kim Mulkey’s Brand of Basketball
The decision for Johnson wasn’t just about location—it was about the program’s winning culture. Since Kim Mulkey arrived at LSU, the Tigers have reached the national spotlight and have consistently featured some of the brightest lights in the game, from Angel Reese to Flau’jae Johnson . The program’s ability to build and nurture a brand for players is comparable to that of even the most lauded athletes in the country .
Johnson and Bradley join a recruiting class that signals LSU women’s basketball intends to remain a powerhouse at the national level. Bradley, the No. 1 center in the nation, committed to LSU over a final group of 10 schools, including national finalists UCLA and South Carolina .
“I’m sure it came to no surprise to everyone that (LSU was in) my Top 10 … they’ve recruited me for as long as I can remember,” Bradley said . “Me and Coach Mulkey have a great relationship, along with everybody else on the staff. Once again, their play style fits me, great relationships, their values are the same as what mine are.”
A Two-Way Recruiting Machine
The Tigers are not just winning on the court but in recruiting, despite recent defections. On the football side, LSU recently landed five-star tight end Ahmad Hudson, a major victory for new head coach Lane Kiffin . Hudson, from Ruston, Louisiana, is a two-sport star who is ranked among the nation’s top tight ends and the No. 25 prospect in basketball nationally .
Hudson originally planned to decide in July but opted to commit early to the Tigers . LSU trended up for Hudson after Kiffin was hired, and a personal touch from the new head coach sealed the deal. Hudson revealed that Kiffin sent him a “good luck” text message before playing for a state championship game, which helped win over the offensive weapon .
Challenges and Concerns
However, not all recruiting news has been rosy for LSU this week. The Tigers have seen defensive end Jaiden Bryant, a five-star edge rusher, flip his commitment from LSU to Miami . Bryant committed to LSU just a month after Kiffin was hired but has now decided to take his talents elsewhere .
The timing of Bryant’s decommitment has raised questions about whether the Tigers are experiencing internal issues, but analysts suggest it’s not a reason to panic. LSU is aggressively pursuing other top-tier defensive line talent, including a pair of five-star Texas Tech commits, Jalen Brewster and Anthony Sweeny . Incoming defensive line coach Sterling Lucas has also developed a strong connection with other five-star prospects like KJ Green and Mitchell Turner .
On the men’s basketball side, Coach Will Wade is also fighting to rebuild his recruiting network after a three-year absence from Baton Rouge. The Tigers recently hosted 2027 five-star guard Ryan Hampton, who is ranked as the No. 1 shooting guard in his class, as a major test of Wade’s ability to connect with top talent . Wade also has his eyes on Marcus Spears Jr., a five-star power forward who is the son of a former LSU football star and the nephew of a former women’s basketball player .
The Reality of Modern Recruiting
The flips and commitments are a microcosm of the modern college sports landscape. NIL deals, playing time, and personal connections are increasingly driving decisions. Josh Hines, father of LSU guard Bella Hines who recently entered the transfer portal, shed light on this reality when discussing his daughter’s departure .
“If anybody wants to look at the lineups and look at the rotations and look at the depth of this guard class that LSU has, Bella was never going to be a priority at LSU, no matter how much people complained,” Josh Hines said .
With Johnson and Bradley committing to the Tigers and other elite prospects like Ryan Hampton and Marcus Spears Jr. on the radar, LSU is positioning itself for a bright future across multiple programs. The landscape of recruiting is fluid—a commitment today does not guarantee a signing tomorrow. But in the high-stakes world of college basketball and football, LSU has made it clear they intend to compete for the best talent in the nation.
