ALBANY, N.Y. — Fraujai Johnson ran to the LSU bench, pumped his fist against his chest and shouted in celebration with his teammates.
At just 5-foot-9, she deflected a shot attempt from 6-foot-4 UCLA forward Angela Dugalich late in the fourth quarter, all but sealing the Tigers’ victory and a spot in the Elite Eight. But that wasn’t the only big moment of the match for her.
With LSU leading 68-67 and just over a minute and a half left in the game, Johnson faced UCLA star guard Kiki Rice. As Rice drove to the basket, Johnson stayed with Rice while fighting through screens and was even able to get his hands on the ball and draw a charge before it hit the rim. It was a discouraging moment for the Bruins.
Angel Reese immediately threw her arms around Johnson and gave him a hug. It was Johnson’s 24 points and 12 rebounds that helped get the Tigers over the line, especially when Reese was fouled out a few minutes later.
LSU will play Iowa State on Monday night for a spot in the Women’s Final Four, which will be played April 5 in Cleveland.
Johnson took a bit of a leap in his second year at LSU after emerging as a freshman last season with a shot at the NCAA title. Almost all of her averages rose as a sophomore, especially as a scorer. She is averaging 14.7 points per game and shooting 39.5% from long range.
While scoring was important against the Bruins, perhaps even more important was her work on the glass. Reese said after the Sweet 16 game that the team went into Saturday with a motto of “no rebounds, no rings,” and that Johnson finished leading the team with 12 boards, something he later told Reese.
“We were still out rebounding, but our team and our guards did a great job of rebounding tonight,” Reese said.
“Yeah, I had more rebounds than the Angels,” Johnson replied.
“Only one! Only one,” cried Reese.
Johnson goes all in on the game, celebrates buckets with his teammates and fans, and gets even more excited when his teammates make big plays. When Reese made an and-1 in the second half, Johnson jumped directly into the air from his feet. This moment not only showed off her athletic prowess, but also the type of passion and energy she brings to the court.
Asked about Johnson after the game, head coach Kim Mulkey emphasized the joy she brings to the floor and her work ethic behind the scenes as a basketball player and rapper.
“When you hear her story, she just brings joy,” Mulkey said. “She doesn’t have an agenda. She barely sleeps. Her child probably wakes up at 5 a.m. every morning to write for her career, go to class, come to practice, work out. There will be.”
After a timeout with most of the game in his hands, Johnson went to the arena’s large Tigers fan section and put his hands over his ears. She wanted to hear more, but this isn’t the first time she’s pumped up the crowd.
She has been rapping since she was 7 years old. According to the New York Timesannounced their commitment to the Tigers along with the release of new music.
Her musical inspiration comes from her late father, Jason Johnson, who was shot and killed in 2003, months before her daughter was born. He was a rapper known by his stage name Camouflage. His stage name is the origin of Johnson’s first name.
She has been criticized for playing basketball and rapping at the same time, and has been told to “go to the gym” rather than record or perform. She released a new song titled “AMF” (Ain’t My Fault) just before LSU’s first-round game.
On the court immediately after the Tigers’ victory, UCLA’s interview cameras were on and ESPN’s Holly Rowe surrounded Johnson. Her interview was memorable, but her personality and spirit were undeniable.
“I do repetitions in the gym every day,” Johnson said. “I know people are going to discredit me because I rap and hoop. So I know I have to try harder. That’s what I do. That’s the thing.”
Lowe mentioned his new single and blamed himself for today’s win. In response, Johnson smiled and raised his arms.
“It’s our fault! It’s our fault!”
“People are going to discredit me because I rap and hoop, so I know I have to try harder.” ‘It Ain’t My Fault’ but it was your fault that we won today.” “It’s our fault!” Holly Rowe’s great post-game interview with Fraujay Johnson. pic.twitter.com/6GpOxPq9uf
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Later, Johnson, who attended the postgame press conference with his teammates and Mulkey, was asked if this was the best game of his career and had a quick answer.
“No. I’ve played better games. I feel like I’ve been hoo-hooing all my life. This is just a big stage for me and I’m just going to give all the glory to God and the work. So It’s over.”
