LSU Tigers coach Kim Mulkey developed several WNBA stars, including Angel Reese and Flau’jae Johnson. Both have now transitioned to the professional league and are making a name for themselves.
On Thursday, Mulkey was in attendance at the Gateway Center for the showdown between Reese’s Atlanta Dream and Johnson’s Seattle Storm.
On the sidelines, Mulkey was asked to share her thoughts on watching her former players compete against each other on the court. The LSU coach said that she was proud of both of them and their development into professional athletes.
“I’m just proud of them,” Mulkey said. “I’m glad that I get to sit here. I was blessed to coach both of them. They both have a national championship. And they mean so much to our university and to our state.
“Just to watch them shine at this level, I feel like a proud mother. It’s hard (to pick a side) because I told them before the game that one’s gonna be happy and one’s not. It’s like raising children. One has a good game and one doesn’t. But either way, I love them.
“I don’t obviously get to watch them everyday at practice. But watching them the years I had them at LSU, and how they matured, how they learned how to be good leaders for our program. And now, they’re great ambassadors from our program.”
Reese and the Atlanta Dream ended up securing an 89-78 victory over the Seattle Storm. She put up a double-double, scoring 18 points with 11 rebounds and two assists. On the other hand, Flau’jae Johnson scored 14 points with two rebounds and five assists.
Kim Mulkey poses with both Angel Reese and Flau’jae Johnson ahead of Thursday’s game
On social media, Kim Mulkey shared a photo before the Dream vs. Storm game on Thursday.
The LSU coach can be seen posing with both Angel Reese and Flau’jae Johnson on the sideline. She accompanied it with some words of encouragement for her former players.
“Wow! I watched my girls bring a natty to LSU and now I’m seeing them shine in the @WNBA!” Mulkey wrote. “Proud to watch these two @LSUWBKB Tigers tonight in Atlanta!”
Johnson joined Mulkey and the LSU Tigers in 2022, whereas Reese transferred from Maryland that same year. They both won the NCAA championship during the 2022-23 season.
Reese declared for the 2024 WNBA draft and was picked up by the Chicago Sky with the No. 7 pick. In April, she was traded to the Atlanta Dream for two first-round picks.
On the other hand, Johnson declared for this year’s WNBA draft. The Golden State Valkyries picked her up with the No. 8 pick before she was traded that same night to the Seattle Storm for Marta Suárez and a 2028 second-rounder.
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