Latest news with #Flau'JaeJohnson
Yahoo
26-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Flau'Jae Johnson stars in Foot Locker x Puma NIL campaign
Flau'Jae Johnson isn't just staying in school—she's staying in control. While most draft-eligible stars are preparing to take their talents to the pros, Johnson is doubling down on her presence both on and off the court. The LSU standout guard just debuted her latest NIL campaign: a front-and-center role in Foot Locker and Puma's 'Stay in Rotation' spring ad series. Advertisement The campaign, developed by creative agency We Are Social, is more than just sneakers and spotlight—it's a statement. Johnson showcases Puma's newest collections like the Speedcat, Speedcat Ballet, and La France lines, bringing both flair and substance to the rollout. This isn't her first major partnership either. Johnson's brand résumé already features names like Google Pixel, Powerade, Experian, and a previous Puma campaign to tip off the 2023–24 season. But this time, she's leading a campaign that blends performance and culture—a fitting role for a Roc Nation signee who's as known for her rap skills as her highlight reels. Her presence in this campaign isn't just about marketability—it's backed by numbers. Johnson averaged 18.6 points, 5.6 rebounds, and shot 38.3% from three in the 2024 season, helping lead LSU back to the NCAA Tournament and proving she's one of the most complete guards in the game. Opting out of the 2025 WNBA Draft to return for her senior year, Johnson is betting on herself—and it's paying off. She's building one of the most dynamic personal brands in college sports, tapping into the full power of the NIL era while continuing to elevate her game. Advertisement Related: Tom Izzo sounds off on NIL and the transfer portal With more brand integrations promised throughout the summer, this campaign feels like just the beginning. Flau'Jae Johnson isn't just staying in rotation—she's redefining what that even means. Related: Mike Gundy on NIL & transfer portal: 'I'd have been Johnny Manziel 2.0' If you're not watching what Flau'Jae's doing—on the court and off—you're already behind. Related: Arch Manning pushing towards record NIL valuation with exclusive autograph deal Related: Cam Newton blasts NIL culture in wake of Nico Iamaleava mess
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Flau'jae Johnson says she'll return to LSU for senior season
LSU guard Flau'Jae Johnson (4) stands on the court towards the end of the game against UCLA in the Elite Eight of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Sunday, March 30, 2025, in Spokane, Wash. (AP Photo/Young Kwak) LSU guard Flau'Jae Johnson closes her eyes while stretching before a game against UCLA in the Elite Eight of the NCAA college basketball tournament Sunday, March 30, 2025, in Spokane, Wash. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane) LSU guard Flau'Jae Johnson shoots during the first half against UCLA in the Elite Eight of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Sunday, March 30, 2025, in Spokane, Wash. (AP Photo/Young Kwak) LSU guard Flau'Jae Johnson shoots during the first half against UCLA in the Elite Eight of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Sunday, March 30, 2025, in Spokane, Wash. (AP Photo/Young Kwak) LSU guard Flau'Jae Johnson (4) stands on the court towards the end of the game against UCLA in the Elite Eight of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Sunday, March 30, 2025, in Spokane, Wash. (AP Photo/Young Kwak) LSU guard Flau'Jae Johnson closes her eyes while stretching before a game against UCLA in the Elite Eight of the NCAA college basketball tournament Sunday, March 30, 2025, in Spokane, Wash. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane) LSU guard Flau'Jae Johnson shoots during the first half against UCLA in the Elite Eight of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Sunday, March 30, 2025, in Spokane, Wash. (AP Photo/Young Kwak) BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Flau'jae Johnson will return to LSU for her senior season, she told Front Office Sports on Wednesday, putting to rest any doubts about her future. There had been some speculation that Johnson would enter the transfer portal after she passed on the WNBA draft. Advertisement She even teased the possibility earlier this month on social media, instead announcing she would join rapper BossMan Dlow for four shows on his spring tour — an extension of her off-the-court career as a musical artist. 'I definitely want to win, but I want to make sure I'm being developed to be the player that I want to be in the WNBA,' she told FOS. 'Trying to find out how I can make that happen this year. I want to be as prepared as possible.' Johnson, named a third-team All-American by The Associated Press, averaged a career-high 18.6 points last season for the Tigers, who advanced to the Elite Eight of the women's NCAA Tournament before falling to UCLA. She was a freshman starter for coach Kim Mulkey two years earlier when LSU won the national title. Advertisement In addition to her rap career, Johnson also hosts a podcast. ___ Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here. AP women's college basketball: and
Reuters
04-04-2025
- Business
- Reuters
Reports: LSU star Flau'Jae Johnson staying in school
April 4 - LSU star Flau'Jae Johnson will skip the 2025 WNBA Draft and play her senior season of college basketball, multiple outlets reported. A source told ESPN that Johnson will consider NIL offers before deciding whether to return to Baton Rouge for the 2025-26 campaign or enter the transfer portal before it closes on April 23. The 21-year-old guard was a first-team All-Southeastern Conference and third-team All-America selection this year, averaging 18.6 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.7 steals in 34 games (all starts). Johnson won a national championship with LSU as a freshman in 2022-23 and has career averages of 14.8 points, 5.7 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.7 steals in 106 games (104 starts). She helped the Tigers finish 31-6 this season, losing to top-seeded UCLA in the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament on Sunday. After the game, Johnson hinted at staying in school for another season. "Once I taste the national championship more and more," Johnson said. "I feel like that national championship I have, yeah, I was a big factor in it, but there were bigger factors. I want my own one, you know what I'm saying? Where I lead the team. That's what you really want." The 2025 WNBA Draft is scheduled for April 14. Despite not playing four seasons of college hoops, Johnson was eligible because she will turn 22 in November. Johnson is one of the sport's most marketable players and also a rapper who has released three albums. She has NIL deals with Powerade, Puma, Amazon, Experian and several other companies, with On3 estimating her NIL valuation at $1.5 million.
USA Today
04-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Flau'Jae Johnson forgoes WNBA draft and will return to college for senior season
Flau'Jae Johnson forgoes WNBA draft and will return to college for senior season Flau'Jae Johnson will return to college and pass up the WNBA Draft, according to report from The Athletic on Wednesday. League rules permit prospects to declare for the draft after either four years of college basketball or when they turn 22. Johnson will turn 22 later this year but did not declare at Tuesday's deadline. In the 2024-25 season, Johnson led the Tigers with a career-high 18.6 points per game along with 5.6 rebound and 2.5 assist averages. Following the season-ending loss to UCLA in the NCAA Tournament Elite Eight, Johnson hinted at a return to Baton Rouge fueled by dissatisfaction. Head coach Kim Mulkey also showed her appreciation for Johnson, who was the first McDonald's All-American she signed at LSU. Just because Johnson passed on the draft doesn't make her a lock to return to LSU. There's always a slim chance she enters the portal and she's yet to announce her intention to wear purple and gold, but Johnson leaving would be a surprise. She'll be the focal point of LSU's offense along with Mikaylah Williams. Johnson is one of multiple WNBA-draft eligible players who will return to college next season. National leading scorer Ta'Niya Latson from Florida State and Olivia Miles from Notre Dame both entered the transfer portal. UConn guard Azzi Fudd and UCLA center Lauren Betts will also stay with their programs.
USA Today
31-03-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Kim Mulkey praises Flau'Jae Johnson following LSU women's basketball's Elite Eight loss
Kim Mulkey praises Flau'Jae Johnson following LSU women's basketball's Elite Eight loss Following LSU women's basketball's loss in the NCAA Tournament Elite Eight against UCLA, Tigers' head coach Kim Mulkey talked about her star guard. Flau'Jae Johnson, who may declare for the WNBA in the coming days, scored a game-high 28 points against the Bruins in what may have been her final game donning the purple and gold. Mulkey reflected on Johnson's decision to play for her and how instrumental it was to the success of the program. The junior guard signed to LSU during Mulkey's inaugural season at the helm. "When I took the LSU job, Flau'Jae Johnson was the first McDonald's All-American that I signed at LSU," Mulkey said. "[I] had not coached and won anything at LSU and she came to LSU and so she jump-started our program really. "We brought in Angel [Reese] and lots of other players but Flau'Jae was a high school All-American and we got her. I'm forever indebted to Flau'Jae Johnson." If her LSU career ended on Sunday, Johnson would leave Baton Rouge as a national champion, an All-American and three-time All-SEC honoree. She averaged double-digits all three years and led the team in scoring for much of 2024-25. Johnson surpassed 1,500 points and averaged 18.3 points per game. Against the Bruins, Johnson scored 24 of her 28 points in the second half as she led the Tigers' comeback effort. Though she and the team fell short, Mulkey recognized her spirited play and credited her as part of the reason why the program is where it is. "That's what All-Americans do," Mulkey said. "They just try to figure out some way to impact the game and she did."
