Flau'jae Johnson had pretty reasonable — and, in hindsight, humble — goals and expectations for her collegiate career at LSU. As she told reporters Sunday following the Tigers' 101-47 win over Texas Tech, she just hoped to be named SEC Freshman of the Year. It's safe to say that in every way, Johnson has blown that ambition completely apart.
Johnson's college career has been marked by so much success it boggles the mind. In addition to a National Championship and numerous basketball accolades, she also launched what has proven to be a successful rap career on the side — just because. Johnson is known all over the world for her court skills and for her fashion sense; she's an inspiration to thousands of little girls who now realize they can be just like her if they want to.
That's a big deal for an athlete who didn't even know if she was going to play basketball in college — for an athlete who didn't even really play in high school like that. "I didn't even know I could play college basketball when I was in high school. I didn't really get on the stage until — I was unranked until my tenth grade year, I think. This is unbelievable to me."
Johnson bid an emotional farewell to LSU Sunday
The Tigers have advanced to the Sweet Sixteen, and are presumably on track for yet another Elite Eight appearance. But Johnson's time at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center came to an end Sunday no matter what the team does down the road. After the Final Four in Phoenix she'll be among dozens of hopefuls who wait to see if and where they're drafted into the WNBA, and Johnson is absolutely going to be drafted into the WNBA.
The 2025-26 season hasn't always been her best, and some have questioned her peformance on the court ahead of the 2026 WNBA season. But Johnson's ability to dig deep and inspire her teammates, her coaches, and the program around her is on full display right now, and that's something that isn't always easy to find in a player. She's demonstrated, time and time again, the ability to dig deep and lead, and that's a trait that will serve her at the professional level.
Johnson had high praise for the fan who came out to see her play throughout her collegiate career, and especially Sunday. She said she "lost it" when she embraced Coach Mulkey on the sidelines after checking out for the final time at home, and admitted that wasn't a surprise.
"I knew I was going to lose it, but I was holding strong," Johnson told reporters. "Then my teammates
came and hugged me and it was like a roar I heard in that PMAC and it was like wow. And I gave everything I had and just let everything out. It was the most beautiful thing that I've been a part of."
LSU still has quite a way to go if the team is hoping to pull off a 2026 Championship, and the WNBA Draft is expected to be held on April 13.