Flau’Jae Johnson’s WNBA draft night was a whirlwind. Selected 8th overall by the Golden State Valkyrie, her time with the franchise was fleeting. In a swift post-draft move, her rights were traded to the Seattle Storm in exchange for the rights to 16th overall pick Marta Sauarez and a future second-round pick, setting the dynamic guard on a path from Baton Rouge to the Pacific Northwest.
Johnson continues a remarkable run of LSU talent in the first round, becoming the program's third consecutive top-10 selection, following Aneesah Morrow (2025) and Angel Reese (2024). Her legacy at LSU is cemented as one of the most beloved Tigers ever. A four-year starter, she was instrumental in securing LSU's first national championship as a freshman and finished her storied career as the sixth player in program history to score over 2,000 points, ranking 4th all-time in games played (141) and 2nd in starts (139).
Her trophy case is a testament to her consistent excellence. After earning SEC Freshman of the Year honors in 2023, Johnson was a Third-Team All-American in 2025 and 2026 and was named to an All-SEC team every year of her career, culminating in First-Team selections for her final two seasons.
Johnson's impact extends far beyond the hardwood. A true renaissance athlete, she was recognized for her character by winning the inaugural Kay Yow Servant Leader of the Year Award and representing LSU on the SEC Community Service Team. Simultaneously, she's building a formidable career in music, signed to Jay-Z's Roc Nation label, and announced on the draft broadcast that she has new music on the way.
Financially, her draft position is more lucrative than ever thanks to the new WNBA CBA agreed upon in March. As the 8th overall pick, Johnson is set to earn approximately $310,000 in her rookie season, with her four-year contract peaking at a $400,000 base salary in the final year. This represents a significant leap for the league; for context, last year's No. 1 overall pick, Paige Bueckers, earned a base salary just under $80,000 as a rookie.