LSU standout Flau’jae Johnson prepares for her last NCAA tournament appearance

Farewell to Flau’jae Johnson’s LSU Journey

Flau’jae Johnson’s journey in college basketball is noteworthy—not just for her skills on the court but also for navigating today’s transfer-centric college sports landscape.

Johnson, who made her commitment to LSU over four years ago, has stayed loyal to the school since then. Her connection to this SEC powerhouse runs so deep that she even buried her treasured bearded dragon, Four, named after her jersey number, on the Baton Rouge campus.

This Friday, Johnson is set to wear her Tigers jersey for the final time, capping off a remarkable college basketball career. Interestingly, her other bearded dragon, Champ, will be with her in spirit as LSU faces No. 15 seed Jacksonville in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

Most teammates might shy away from the reptile, but her close friend, LSU guard Izzy Besselman, once found himself tricked into opening a basket that he believed was empty, only to be surprised by a bearded dragon.

Johnson has also noted that some teammates have dogs and she’s considering bringing Champ along for practice. Yet, as she prepares for her last run, the challenge ahead is quite exciting for her, regardless of how far LSU makes it in the tournament.

“March is always a good month,” she said to reporters during the SEC Tournament. “I love March. The only issue is that this is when everyone is most focused, depending on their preparation.”

In addition to her basketball career, Johnson is a recording artist signed to Roc Nation. Her mornings typically involve reviewing game footage with her coach and fitting in workouts beyond team practice. She’s also committed to several brand partnerships, which she diligently upholds.

Besselman highlighted how Johnson inspires her teammates. “Seeing how hard she works motivates me and everyone else in this locker room,” she said. “She’s a great person I really respect.”

Johnson’s coach, Kim Mulkey, is recognized for her tough love approach, which has led to numerous championships both at Baylor and LSU. According to Johnson, Mulkey has played a significant role in her development as a player.

“It might be tempting to hit the transfer portal for an easier route,” Johnson mused. “I could have done that, like in high school. But I want the challenge of competing with All-Americans and under tough coaches who’ve proven themselves.”

Johnson is already on board with the Women’s 3v3 League and is anticipated to play in Unrivaled as early as next year. Mulkey believes Johnson ranks among the best athletes in LSU history, pointing to her philanthropy and the positive impact she’s made on the program.

“She believed in LSU, which is what we had to showcase,” Mulkey emphasized on senior night. “She was the first McDonald’s All-American I signed at LSU, and the heart of the best story is that she’ll graduate after a dedicated four years.”

This kind of commitment is increasingly rare in college sports today, and it’s clear that Johnson’s love for LSU has been reciprocated by the university.