LSU guard Flau’jae Johnson has been making waves both on and off the court. The 19-year-old is not only a standout player for the Lady Tigers, but she is also a rising star in the music industry. Johnson’s unique path to success highlights how athletes can thrive in multiple arenas.
A Dual Career as Rapper and Basketball Player
Johnson is not your typical college athlete. She boasts a successful career as both a rapper and basketball player. The guard has been making music since the age of 13, debuting her talents on “The Rap Game” and competing on “America’s Got Talent” at age 14.
Since then, Johnson has released over a dozen hits, including her latest release “Big 4,” which dropped in January of this year. She has gained an impressive following of 17,489 monthly listeners on Spotify and has a deal with Jay-Z’s label Roc Nation.
Despite her budding music career, Johnson has remained dedicated to basketball. She was a four-star recruit and the first McDonald’s All-American to be recruited to the Lady Tigers’ program by head coach Kim Mulkey. Since she joined the roster, Johnson has started every game, averaging 11 points, 5.9 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.2 steals per game.
Standing Out On and Off the Court
Johnson’s impressive skills on the court have put her in the national spotlight. Her name, image, and likeness (NIL) deals have only boosted her credentials, making her currently ranked as the fourth-highest valued women’s basketball player at $669,000 annually.
Off the court, Johnson is equally impressive. She supports her team through their first-ever NCAA national championship game after LSU qualified by winning against Virginia Tech. Johnson showed her abilities in helping her team’s win by scoring 11 points, with seven rebounds and two assists.
Johnson has found a way to excel in both fields, proving that a dual career as a rapper and basketball player is attainable. She is an inspiration to young athletes and aspiring musicians alike.
A Star Among Peers
Johnson is not the only LSU player shining bright this season. Head coach Kim Mulkey has taken the Lady Tigers to the Women’s Basketball Championship game for the first time in history. The team qualified for the final after making a big comeback against Virginia Tech in the national semifinal game.
Mulkey’s leadership has been instrumental in the team’s success this season. Alexis Morris scored 27 points, and Angel Reese contributed by scoring 24 points and 12 rebounds for LSU. The team will face the winner of the South Carolina vs. Iowa semifinal game in the final.
Mulkey is only the second coach to take two different teams to the NCAA Women’s Basketball Championship game. Her previous school, Baylor University, won three national titles in four Final Four appearances over her 21 seasons there.
“Grubbin’ with G” Podcast Series Features Flau’jae Johnson
Louisiana personal injury lawyer Gordon McKernan launched a new podcast series called “Grubbin’ with G,” where he invites guests to dine with him at local restaurants for a meal and conversation.
The series aims to provide an informal setting where listeners can feel like they are sitting at the table with McKernan and his guests. Previous episodes have featured LSU Women’s Basketball’s Angel Reese and Kim Mulkey.
McKernan’s latest episode features none other than Flau’jae Johnson herself. The freshman guard joined McKernan at Fiery Crab, her favorite restaurant in Baton Rouge, where they discussed various topics, including her music career and the significance of her No. 4 jersey number in her life.
The episode was particularly meaningful because, as McKernan noted, he was a personal injury attorney, but there are some areas of life where he can’t help people. “I can’t help people sing, but I can sure enjoy it,” he said.
Johnson’s success on and off the court has made her a star among her peers. Her unique path to success shows that athletes can excel in multiple arenas, and her talents have earned her recognition both nationally and locally. Johnson is an inspiration to young people everywhere, showing that hard work and dedication can pay off in unexpected ways.
Image Source: Wikimedia Commons
