Flau’jae Johnson is doing it all on her terms. If we may say, she is being ‘the best of both worlds’. Not only is she at the top of her game, but is also juggling between her sports and music career. However, her coach, Kim Mulkey, wasn’t exactly on board with Johnson embracing the role of a primary scorer. But the recent numbers put an end to all her thoughts.

Let us tell you that the LSU junior is leading all SEC guards in scoring with an average of 22.3 ppg with 58.7% shooting from the field, per ESPN. She is also doing great on the glass with 7.3 rpg on average. Her recent 24-point, 7-rebound game against Northwestern State was another example, propelling LSU to a blowout 95-36 victory. What’s even more impressive is the athlete’s relentless energy. 

Still, earlier, the HC had her reservations. She was clear about what she thought Johnson’s focus should be this season—and it wasn’t racking up the most points. 

Mulkey once said she didn’t want Johnson to become “the main” scorer on the team. Instead, she emphasized something else entirely: leadership. After a big victory over Eastern Kentucky in LSU’s season opener, where the hooper led her team with a remarkable performance, the Hall of Famer head coach doubled down on her expectations. 

In the postgame press conference, she explained that sure, scoring is important, but Johnson’s role should go beyond just piling up points. “She’s been in the system; this is her third year now,” Mulkey said, “So it’s not like she has to think a whole lot out there; just go play.”

The coach’s comments didn’t end there. She clarified, “What I’d like to see her be is more of a vocal leader.” Mulkey is looking for that “it” factor that turns a talented player into a standout leader. But Johnson’s response has been loud and clear. In her last few games, she’s shown that not only can she lead, but she can also score in a big way. 

Still, Mulkey also knows that Johnson can indeed achieve a great leadership role as well. In a previous interview, the coach had stated, “She’s a moral leader, and that kid’s soul is precious. Her heart is joyous, and I’ll support her one hundred and ten percent like I would for any of my players.”

Sure, she has achieved, but she isn’t one to rest on her laurels. Her hunger for greatness keeps her striving for more. Now, she’s aiming for nothing less than another national title before she graduates.

Flau’jae aims to ‘make a big splash’

Flau’jae Johnson isn’t just an NCAA champion; she’s a lot more than that- a rapper and an entertainer. She is indeed showing the world that you don’t have to pick just one path. In her freshman year, she won SEC Freshman of the Year and helped her team win their first national title.

In her sophomore year, her stats soared, especially during March Madness, where she averaged 20.5 points and 6.3 rebounds in LSU’s run to the Elite Eight. So what fuels her? Well, she says it’s all about passion. “I love the game, so I’m really energetic about it,” she shared. 

And that goes for her music career, too. At 14, she made it to the quarterfinals of America’s Got Talent, and now she’s signed to Jay-Z’s Roc Nation, even dropping her debut studio album, Best of Both Worlds. 

In her words, “What I learn in basketball about pushing through challenges and staying dedicated translates into my music career, and vice versa,” she said. “They fuel each other, and I’m grateful I get to live in both worlds.” 

So, what’s next for Flau’jae? She is chasing another title and setting her sights high. As she puts it, “It’s on me to make a big splash.” And if her recent performances are any indication, she is totally fired up.