Flau’jae Johnson sprinted towards the LSU bench, pounding her fist against her chest and joining her teammates in a jubilant celebration.
Despite standing at a modest 5’9”, she had just made a crucial defensive play in the waning moments of the fourth quarter, deflecting a shot from the towering 6’4” UCLA forward Angela Dugalić. This pivotal moment all but secured the Tigers’ victory and secured their berth in the Elite Eight. Yet, this wasn’t the lone highlight of her stellar performance.
With just over ninety seconds remaining and LSU holding a slim 68-67 lead, Johnson found herself matched up against UCLA’s standout guard Kiki Rice. Despite facing a screen, Johnson tenaciously stuck with Rice as she drove to the basket, ultimately swatting the ball away and even drawing a charge, a momentum-shifting blow for the Bruins.
In the aftermath, Angel Reese enveloped Johnson in a heartfelt embrace. It was Johnson’s remarkable contribution of 24 points and 12 rebounds that propelled the Tigers across the finish line, especially crucial as Reese fouled out minutes later.
LSU now gears up to face Iowa on Monday night, vying for a coveted spot in the Women’s Final Four in Cleveland on April 5.
Johnson has notably elevated her game in her sophomore year with LSU following an impactful freshman season during last year’s NCAA title run. Nearly all of her statistics have seen an uptick, particularly her scoring prowess, boasting an average of 14.7 points per game while shooting an impressive 39.5% from beyond the arc.
While her scoring was instrumental against the Bruins, her work on the boards proved equally crucial. Reese emphasized the team’s pre-game mantra of “no rebounds, no rings,” and Johnson led the charge with a team-high 12 rebounds, a fact she made sure to remind Reese of afterward.
“Despite being out-rebounded, our guards did a commendable job on the boards tonight,” Reese remarked.
“Yeah, I managed to snag more rebounds than Angel,” Johnson quipped.
“Just one! Only one,” Reese playfully retorted.
Johnson epitomizes passion on the court, celebrating every basket with teammates and fans and erupting with joy when her teammates make key plays. Her athleticism was evident when she soared into the air in excitement after Reese converted an and-1 opportunity in the second half, showcasing not only her physical prowess but also the infectious energy she brings to the game.
Reflecting on Johnson’s impact, head coach Kim Mulkey pointed out the contagious joy she brings to the game and her relentless work ethic both on and off the court, which extends to her involvement in rap.
“When you listen to her speak, you can’t help but feel her infectious joy,” Mulkey remarked. “She has no ulterior motives. She sacrifices sleep, likely rising at 5:00 a.m. daily to pursue her passions, whether it’s crafting her craft as a rapper, attending classes, or grinding it out on the practice court.”
As the game wound down, Johnson, sensing victory, approached the fervent LSU fan section in the arena, eagerly gesturing for more noise—a familiar sight as she often ignites crowds with her palpable energy.
Having been rapping since the tender age of seven, Johnson draws inspiration from her late father, Jason Johnson, a renowned rapper known by the stage name Camoflauge, who tragically passed away in 2003, months before his daughter’s birth. It’s from his stage name that Johnson derives her own.
Despite facing criticism for balancing both basketball and rap, Johnson remains undeterred, releasing a new single titled “AMF” (Ain’t My Fault) just prior to LSU’s first-round game.
Following the Tigers’ victory over UCLA, Johnson found herself encircled by interview cameras and ESPN’s Holly Rowe. Though the interview was memorable, it was Johnson’s personality and spirit that truly shone through.
"People are going to discredit me because I rap and I hoop, so I know I got to go extra hard." "She does rap, her new single is 'It Ain't My Fault,' but today, this win was your fault." "It is our fault!" Great postgame interview of Flau'jae Johnson from Holly Rowe. pic.twitter.com/6GpOxPq9uf
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) March 30, 2024
“Every single day, I’m grinding in the gym, putting in the work,” Johnson declared. “I know there are doubters out there because I rap and I ball, so I understand I have to push myself even harder. And that’s exactly what I do.”
Rowe referenced Johnson’s latest single and jokingly attributed the win to her. In response, Johnson beamed and raised her arms in exultation.
“It’s not just me—it’s all of us! We did this together!”
In a later postgame press conference alongside her teammates and Mulkey, Johnson was asked if this was the pinnacle of her career. Her response was swift and humble.
“No, this wasn’t my best game. I’ve had better performances throughout my life. This stage just amplifies it all. All the credit goes to God and the hard work. That’s it.”
