COMMIT NEWS: LSU Women’s Basketball, Kim Mulkey Miss on 5-Star Center Zaniya Johnson Due to South Carolina’s Post Development Track Record and Late Recruiting Surge
BATON ROUGE, La. — Kim Mulkey and the LSU women’s basketball program have missed on another elite recruiting target.
Five-star center Zaniya Johnson, a 6-foot-4 prospect from Biloxi, Mississippi, announced her commitment to Dawn Staley and South Carolina on Wednesday, choosing the Gamecocks over the Tigers in a head-to-head SEC battle that came down to the wire . The decision leaves LSU with just one commitment in its 2027 recruiting class and extends a frustrating stretch on the trail for Mulkey’s staff.
The Stakes Were Clear
Johnson was ranked No. 18 overall in ESPN’s 2027 rankings and the No. 3 post player in the class . She had been a priority for LSU for multiple years, and the Tigers hosted her on an official visit in September . By early October, Johnson had narrowed her list to just two schools: South Carolina and LSU, eliminating Florida State, Texas A&M, and Mississippi State .
The Tigers appeared to be in a strong position. Mulkey’s program has been a force on the recruiting trail, and the pitch to keep a Mississippi native close to home was compelling. But when Johnson made her announcement at a ceremony at Biloxi High School, she chose the Gamecocks.
Why Johnson Chose South Carolina
In her first public comments after the commitment, Johnson pointed directly to South Carolina’s track record with post players as the deciding factor.
“I truly believe [South Carolina] has everything I need and more to grow both on and off the court,” Johnson said, according to ESPN. “South Carolina has a proven track record of developing post players, and having the opportunity to be part of a program like that was something I couldn’t pass up” .
That track record is difficult to argue with. Dawn Staley has produced a pipeline of dominant interior players, including A’ja Wilson, Aliyah Boston, Kamilla Cardoso, and Alaina Coates. For a 6-foot-4 center with professional aspirations, the appeal of that lineage is obvious. South Carolina’s recent national championships and consistent presence at the top of the sport only reinforced the message.
Johnson’s official visit to Columbia the weekend of October 3 clearly left an impression. She was spotted on the sideline with Staley before the Gamecocks’ football game against Kentucky, and the relationship between player and coach appeared to deepen from there .
A Late Surge South Carolina Could Not Match
Timing also worked against LSU. Johnson’s commitment came as part of a remarkable October haul for Staley. She is the third elite prospect to choose South Carolina this month, joining five-star guard GG Banks (No. 4 overall) and four-star guard Taylor Brown (No. 30 overall) . That momentum—three commitments in a matter of weeks—created a wave that LSU could not counter.
The Gamecocks’ 2027 class now ranks among the best in the country, and Johnson’s addition gives Staley the traditional interior anchor she covets. LSU, meanwhile, has only one commitment in the cycle: five-star center Carolina Bradley, a Louisiana native ranked No. 3 overall . Bradley is a foundational piece, but Mulkey needed a second elite talent to pair with her, and Johnson was that target.
What LSU Loses
Johnson is not merely a rankings victory for South Carolina. She is a player who could have immediately elevated LSU’s frontcourt.
As a junior at Biloxi High School, Johnson averaged 15 points, eight rebounds, and two blocks per game while leading her team to a 28-1 record and a regional championship . 247Sports’ Brandon Clay described her as possessing “the type of legitimate size that colleges nationwide covet in the frontcourt,” adding that she is “more than capable of serving as a force around the paint” . Her ability to finish through contact, rebound at a high rate, and protect the rim would have addressed a need for LSU in the post.
Instead, she will bring those skills to Columbia, where Staley has already demonstrated an ability to maximize that exact archetype.
A Rough Stretch on the Trail
The miss on Johnson is part of a broader pattern that has raised eyebrows among LSU faithful. The Town Talk described it as “another swing and a miss for Kim Mulkey and the LSU women’s basketball staff on the recruiting trail” . TigerRag echoed that sentiment, noting that Mulkey’s 2027 class “remains at just one commit” and that the staff “has endured a rough stretch on the recruiting trail as of late” .
The competition is fierce. Staley’s South Carolina program is fresh off national success and has become a magnet for elite post players. Losing a five-star center to a conference rival—especially one who had LSU among her final two for months—stings more than a typical recruiting defeat.
What Comes Next
Mulkey and her staff will regroup. The 2027 cycle is far from over, and LSU remains in contention for other elite prospects. Bradley’s commitment provides a cornerstone, and Mulkey has proven throughout her career that she can close on high-level talent.
But the loss of Johnson is a clear reminder that the recruiting battles in the SEC are as intense as the games on the court. South Carolina landed a player who could have been a foundational piece for LSU’s future frontcourt. Instead, the Tigers will have to watch her develop in Columbia—and hope the next recruiting victory comes soon.
Johnson is expected to sign her national letter of intent during the early signing period in November.
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