Flau'jae Johnson stays loyal to LSU through NIL era, nears end of college career

Flau'jae Johnson, a guard wearing number 4 for the LSU Tigers women's basketball team, committed to the program on November 14, 2021, as the No. 1 recruit in the class of 2022.[1][2] Entering her fourth season with LSU in 2025-26, she has not entered the transfer portal amid the rise of Name, Image and Likeness deals and increased player mobility in college basketball.

Johnson's bond with the Baton Rouge campus runs deep. She buried her deceased bearded dragon, named Four in reference to her jersey number, on LSU grounds following its death.[3] She owns another bearded dragon named Champ and has considered bringing it to team practices, similar to teammates who bring dogs.[3]

A Southeastern Conference member, LSU plays home games at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.[4] Under coach Kim Mulkey, who guided the Tigers to the 2023 NCAA Division I national championship, Johnson has developed as a player.[4][5]

Beyond basketball, Johnson is a recording artist signed to Roc Nation since February 2023.[6] She has NIL partnerships, including a deal with the Unrivaled women's 3-on-3 league ahead of its 2025 launch.[7]

Teammate guard Izzy Besselman credited Johnson's work ethic with motivating the locker room. Johnson maintains a routine of film study, workouts and brand commitments while prioritizing team success over individual stats.

Sources

1. LSU Sports, "Flau'jae Johnson - Women's Basketball", accessed November 2024, https://lsusports.net/sports/wbball/roster/flaujae-johnson/8448
2. ESPN, "Five-star Flau'jae Johnson, No. 1 player in 2022 class, commits to LSU", November 14, 2021, https://www.espn.com/womens-college-basketball/story/_/id/32507992/five-star-flaujae-johnson-no-1-player-2022-class-commits-lsu
3. On3, "LSU WBB star Flau’jae Johnson opens up about burying bearded dragon on campus", September 5, 2024, https://www.on3.com/pro/news/lsu-wbb-star-flaujae-johnson-opens-up-about-burying-bearded-dragon-on-campus/
4. LSU Sports, "2023 NCAA Champions", accessed November 2024, https://lsusports.net/sports/wbball/
5. NCAA.com, "2023 NCAA women's basketball tournament bracket", March 2023, https://www.ncaa.com/news/basketball-women/article/2023-04-02/2023-ncaa-womens-basketball-tournament-bracket-march-madness-watch-live
6. Roc Nation, "Flau’jae Johnson Joins Roc Nation", February 8, 2023, https://www.rocnation.com/flaujae-johnson-joins-roc-nation/
7. Unrivaled Basketball, "UNRIVALED Announces Additional Roster Signings", October 2024, https://unrivaled.basketball/news/unrivaled-announces-signings-of-nneka-ogwumike-napheesa-collier-kayla-mcdaniel-hailey-van-lith-flaujae-johnson-and-more-stars