The Next Generation: Flau’Jae Johnson could be basketball’s next megastar

Women’s basketball has produced plenty of legendary talents and stars, but none have transcended the sport quite how Flau’Jae Johnson has the chance to.

Lisa Leslie. Candace Parker. Maya Moore. Diana Taurasi. You know them all for their on-court abilities, but how much do you know about them off the court, away from the game?

Probably not much. And that’s not a slight at you. It’s just the reality. In the short history of the WNBA, the players have been limited in their off-court endeavors for a variety of reasons, and rarely have had their off-court lives highlighted. The game (and world as a whole) has really just reached the point where it’s beginning to shift from this mindset, allowing these women to truly showcase their brilliance in other areas.

The rise of social media helped start the movement. Skylar Diggins-Smith was among the first stars to reach one million followers, and now players of all calibers at all levels are more accessible than ever before. When the NCAA enacted its new Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) policy in 2021, it opened brand new doors for college athletes. The influx of opportunity set the foundation for a new megastar to appear.

Enter Flau’Jae Johnson.

Flau’Jae Johnson is a star, unlike any women’s basketball, has seen before.

Johnson is a legitimate multi-industry star at just 19 years old. In 2022, she secured a full-ride scholarship to LSU, a distribution deal from Roc Nation, and a Puma deal. Her stardom had been growing long before that, though.

Before she was a top-30 high school basketball player, Johnson was known for her musical ability. The name “Flau’Jae” comes from her late father’s rap name, Camoflauge. He was killed six months before Johnson was born, but she carries his name with pride and continues his legacy in her music. She started rapping around her hometown, Savannah, Georgia, when she was eight years old.

Her first major break came when she was 12, when she was a contestant on The Rap Game.

Despite being the first contestant eliminated, Johnson’s bars inspired the producers of America’s Got Talent, who brought her on to perform. Johnson performed on the show just a few months ago, as part of their “AGT: All-Stars” show.

Johnson’s music has helped her amass 140,000 subscribers on YouTube.

While Johnson’s music stardom was growing, so was her basketball skills

Flau’Jae has called basketball her first love. She started playing when she was four years old. Due to the lack of girls’ leagues in Savannah, Johnson played in boys’ leagues until she was 10 years old. Eventually, her family moved to Atlanta.

In the city, Johnson was able to blossom on the court. She started making a name for herself at Sprayberry High School. At the end of her sophomore year, she joined FBC BounceNation, a top AAU team in the country. After just one summer on the circuit, Flau’Jae rose from unranked to number 55 on ESPN’s top 100.

By the end of her senior year, Johnson had risen to No. 26 in the rankings, and she set Sprayberry’s all-time scoring record. She was named a McDonald’s and Naismith All-American and was the only woman that played in the 2022 Iverson Classic. Johnson also won MVP of the Jordan Brand Classic after scoring 27 points in the game.

As her stock trended upward, Johnson was recruited by coaches across the country. In an interview with the Washington Post, she explained that many had the expectation that she would give up her music and focus solely on basketball. Kim Mulkey was among the few that didn’t. Mulkey used NIL as a way to help Johnson focus on both of her passions, and it worked.

Johnson announced her commitment to LSU by releasing a song titled All Falls Down, featuring Lil Boosie and MikeWillMadeIt. She was the first McDonald’s All-American recruited to LSU by Mulkey.

Flau’Jae followed up with a fabulous freshman year

Johnson entered LSU as a day-one starter. The Tigers’ revamped roster had high expectations. She showed she belonged from the beginning. She played a key role in LSU’s season, averaging 11.8 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game. She also added around a steal and a block per contest. Her efficiency was impressive — she shot 45 percent from the floor and 37 percent from 3.

Flau’Jae wasted no time during the season, posting her first career double-double in her fifth collegiate game. She also scored a season-high 27 points that night.

Led by the trio of Johnson, Alexis Morris, and Angel Reese, LSU went 27-1 in the regular season. Johnson won SEC Freshman of the Year.

They entered the SEC Tournament as the two seed, where they lost to Tennessee in the semifinals. But this team has its sights set on higher goals than that.

Johnson and LSU are a team to watch during the NCAA Tournament

LSU is one of the most entertaining teams to watch, and have the talent to match. They have an explosive offense, disruptive defense, and an unbreakable swagger. Johnson contributes to all three.

Offensively, her shooting helps space the floor for Reese, and preserves lanes for LSU’s other slashers. When it’s Johnson’s turn to cut, she’s an effective finisher around the rim. She also can create just enough off the dribble to keep defenders honest.

On the other end, Johnson’s activity and athleticism really shine. She always has her head on a swivel, looking to disrupt her opponent’s offense. Her athleticism helps her navigate screens and block shots. When LSU forces turnovers, Flau’Jae is often on the scoring end of their transition play.

Johnson’s entertainment value is sky-high, as well. She plays the game confidently and is always a great interviewee when the camera is on her. No other player in the country is doing things like this:

Flau’Jae represents the future of women athletes…and a vital crossover

Johnson is a must-watch player for a variety of reasons. For one, she is on the cusp of changing the entire women’s sports landscape. She is a product of the times. Had Johnson come along just two years earlier, she would have had to choose between music or basketball. Thanks to NIL, she can do both.

Johnson also represents what the modern woman athlete can be — a multi-industry star whose potential is limitless. She is on pace to reach unprecedented stardom levels. There have been athletes that transitioned into music and vice versa, but never has it been done to this level simultaneously.

In that sense, Johnson also represents an important juncture for the WNBA whenever she gets there. Flau’Jae has spoken about the connections between hip-hop and basketball — something the WNBA has been slow to embrace. When she makes the league, those connections will be front and center.

Johnson is ready for the pressure that comes with being unprecedented. There is truly no better person to push the limits and move the game forward. Her charisma, passion, and knowledge of basketball, music, and business, are unmatched by anyone in her vicinity.

It’s just a matter of time before she takes over. Now’s the time to get on board.

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