Flau'jae Johnson, a guard for the LSU Tigers women's basketball team in the Southeastern Conference, committed to the program more than four years ago and has remained there through the 2025-26 season without entering the transfer portal.[1][2]
The five-star recruit from Savannah, Georgia, announced her commitment to LSU on November 13, 2021.[1] She enrolled ahead of the 2022-23 season and has played in four seasons for coach Kim Mulkey, who joined LSU in April 2021 after winning three NCAA titles at Baylor (2005, 2012, 2019) and one at LSU (2023).[2][5]
Johnson was the first McDonald's All-American recruit signed by Mulkey at LSU. Mulkey praised Johnson's loyalty during senior night, noting she took a chance on the program early in the coach's tenure and stayed four years to graduate in an era when athletes rarely do.[3]
Johnson's ties to the Baton Rouge campus run deep; she buried her bearded dragon named Four -- referencing her jersey number -- there following its death. For the NCAA tournament, she plans to have her other bearded dragon, Champ, with her in spirit. Teammate Izzy Besselman once opened a basket expecting it to be empty, only to find Champ inside.[3]
Johnson, also a recording artist signed to Roc Nation since April 2023, maintains a routine of film study, workouts and NIL commitments.[4] She signed an NIL deal with the Unrivaled women's 3-on-3 league, planning to join after college.[6]
"It could be easier to go into the transfer portal, go to a team with a terrible record and average 30," Johnson said. "But I want to play with All-Americans. I want to play with a tough coach who won championships."[3]
Mulkey's "tough love" approach has helped develop Johnson into a more efficient player, according to the senior. Besselman credited Johnson's work ethic for motivating the locker room.[3]
Johnson is set to play her final games in a Tigers jersey during the 2026 NCAA Division I women's basketball tournament.
Sources
- ESPN
Five-star Flau'jae Johnson commits to LSU
13 November 2021
https://www.espn.com/womens-college-basketball/story/_/id/32549732/five-star-flaujae-johnson-commits-lsu - LSU Sports
Flau'jae Johnson - Women's Basketball
Accessed 25 February 2026
https://lsusports.net/sports/wbball/roster/flaujae-johnson/8128 - Fox News
LSU star Flau'jae Johnson has good luck charm for March Madness: bearded dragon Champ
22 March 2024
https://www.foxnews.com/sports/lsu-flaujae-johnson-good-luck-charm-march-madness-bearded-dragon-champ - Billboard
Flau’jae Johnson Signs With Roc Nation Records
18 April 2023
https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/flaujae-johnson-roc-nation-records-1235293930/ - LSU Sports
Kim Mulkey - Head Coach - Women's Basketball
Accessed 25 February 2026
https://lsusports.net/sports/wbball/coaches/kim-mulkey - Sports Illustrated
Flau'jae Johnson Signs NIL Deal With Unrivaled, Hailey Van Lith Next?
10 December 2024
https://www.si.com/college/lsu/basketball/flaujae-johnson-signs-nil-deal-with-unrivaled-hailey-van-lith-next-01j7q0zq8z5p