LSU star Flau’jae Johnson gears up for closing NCAA event run

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Flau’jae Johnson’s profession stands out not just for her on-court accomplishments however for defying the transfer-heavy panorama of the trendy NIL era in school sports activities.

Greater than 4 years in the past, Johnson dedicated to LSU. Quick-forward to 2026, and she or he's by no means left the college the place she first enrolled. Her ties to the Southeastern Convention powerhouse run so deep she buried her beloved pet, a bearded dragon named 4 in a nod to her jersey quantity, on the Baton Rouge campus.

On Friday, Johnson will take the courtroom for the ultimate time in a Tigers' jersey as she concludes her prolific school basketball profession.

However when LSU ideas off in opposition to Fifteenth-seeded Jacksonville within the first spherical of the NCAA Match, Johnson’s different bearded dragon, Champ, will probably be together with her — in spirit on the very least.

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Flau'jae Johnson and the LSU Tigers tackle the Tennessee Woman Vols Feb. 26, 2026, on the Pete Maravich Meeting Middle in Baton Rouge, La. (Scott Clause/USA Immediately Community through Imagn Photos)

Most of Johnson’s teammates would doubtless desire to keep away from the reptile. However LSU guard Izzy Besselman, a detailed buddy of Johnson, has been tricked into opening a basket she thought was empty however truly contained the bearded dragon.

Johnson is considering bringing Champ to the fitness center for apply classes, noting a few of her teammates deliver alongside their canines.

LSU STAR FLAU'JAE JOHNSON SAYS UNRIVALED LEAGUE 'CHANGING THE GAME' AS SHE JOINS IN NIL PARTNERSHIP

Nonetheless, together with her closing run on the horizon, Johnson mentioned she’s embracing the problem forward, irrespective of how far LSU advances.

"March is at all times an excellent month," she informed reporters throughout the SEC Match. "I like March. The factor is, that is when everybody’s probably the most centered, and also you simply obtained to depend on your work."

Johnson, who can be a recording artist and is signed to Roc Nation, has a morning routine that features watching recreation movie together with her coach and becoming in exercises outdoors group practices. A number of manufacturers have additionally partnered with Johnson, and she or he makes time to meet commitments related to these offers.

Besselman famous Johnson's potential to deliver out the very best in her teammates.

"Seeing how onerous she works motivates me and everyone else on this locker room," Besselman informed Yahoo Sports. "It is a good individual to look as much as."

Flau'jae Johnson of the LSU Tigers in motion in opposition to the Tulane Inexperienced Wave on the Pete Maravich Meeting Middle in Baton Rouge, La., Nov. 20, 2024. (Reagan Cotten/LSU/College Photos through Getty Photos)

Johnson’s coach, Kim Mulkey , is thought for her "powerful love" strategy, a mode that has produced outcomes with three nationwide titles at Baylor and one other at LSU. Johnson mentioned Mulkey helped form her right into a extra environment friendly and finally higher participant.

"It might be simpler to enter the switch portal, go to a group with a horrible report and common 30," Johnson mentioned. "I may try this. I did that in highschool. what I’m saying? Faculty just isn't a lot completely different.

"However I need to play with All-People. I need to play with a troublesome coach who gained championships. I need to play with individuals so I can learn to be environment friendly. I need to play in positions the place it’s not favorable for me and nonetheless come out on prime. For me, it’s extra so, I love to do the onerous stuff."

LSU Tigers ladies's basketball participant Flau'jae Johnson speaks throughout "The Cash Sport" world premiere at Pete Maravich Meeting Middle Sept. 4, 2024, in Baton Rouge, La. (LSU Athletics/College Photos through Getty Photos)

Johnson is on monitor to compete in Unequalled as quickly as subsequent yr after already signing an NIL cope with the ladies’s 3-on-3 league.

Mulkey mentioned she believes Johnson is among the finest athletes to have performed at LSU partially due to her philanthropy, but additionally for what she did for this system’s trajectory.

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"She took an opportunity on LSU when what did now we have to promote?" Mulkey mentioned on senior evening. "We simply obtained right here, and she or he was the primary McDonald’s All-American that I signed at LSU. The story on Flau’jae will probably be all these issues I simply talked about, however the best story of all to me is she stayed 4 years at LSU and can graduate.

"While you consider school athletics now, individuals don’t do it anymore. And she or he loves LSU, and, in return, LSU embraced her and liked her again."