LSU guard Flau'jae Johnson stays loyal to Tigers amid transfer portal, NIL era

Flau'jae Johnson committed to Louisiana State University on November 14, 2021, as a five-star recruit and McDonald's All-American, and has remained with the Tigers women's basketball program entering her fourth collegiate season in 2025-26.[1][2]

The Savannah, Georgia native wears jersey number 4 and plays guard for coach Kim Mulkey, who joined LSU in 2021 after winning three NCAA titles at Baylor (2005, 2012, 2019) and one at LSU in 2023.[3][4] Johnson was the first McDonald's All-American recruit signed by Mulkey at LSU.[1]

In three seasons through 2024-25, Johnson has appeared in 66 games, averaging 13.6 points, 5.9 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game.[5] She has stayed with the program despite the proliferation of the transfer portal and NIL deals in college basketball.

Johnson buried her bearded dragon, named Four Pound after her jersey number, on the Baton Rouge campus, underscoring her personal ties to LSU.[6] She has referenced another pet reptile, Champ, in team settings.

Beyond basketball, Johnson is a recording artist signed to Roc Nation since May 2021.[7] In August 2024, she signed an NIL agreement with Unrivaled, a professional women's 3-on-3 league set to debut in January 2025.[8]

Mulkey has praised Johnson's commitment, noting she took a chance on a new-look LSU program and stayed through graduation, a rarity in modern college athletics.[6]

Johnson has said she prefers competing against top talent and learning efficiency under a championship coach rather than transferring for higher scoring averages.[6]