The next chapter for LSU legend Flau'Jae Johnson has officially been written. On Monday night, the electric guard's journey took a thrilling turn as she was selected eighth overall by the Golden State Valkyries in the 2026 WNBA Draft.

Hearing her name called by Commissioner Cathy Engelbert, Johnson's jaw dropped in a moment of pure elation. After sharing emotional hugs with her family and LSU coach Kim Mulkey, she strode confidently to the stage, ready to embrace her professional destiny.

"I'm very excited just to be able to know where I’m going to live," Johnson said ahead of the draft. "Who are my teammates? I'm excited. This is a new journey. Now you're coming into the league where there's so much growth visibility."

She now joins a Valkyries franchise that is building something special. In just their second season, and coming off a playoff appearance in their expansion year, Golden State is assembling a formidable roster under coach Natalie Nakase. Johnson will team up with recent All-Star signing Gabby Williams and a talented backcourt featuring Veronica Burton and Kate Martin.

Johnson's selection continues a remarkable pipeline from Baton Rouge to the WNBA. She is the third consecutive LSU player, following Angel Reese and Aneesah Morrow, to be taken in the first round. Furthermore, she becomes the sixth player coached by Kim Mulkey at LSU to be drafted, adding to Mulkey's incredible legacy of developing professional talent, which now includes 28 total draft picks spanning her tenures at Baylor and LSU.

While she'll trade the purple and gold of LSU for the purple and black of the Valkyries, one thing remains constant: Flau'Jae Johnson is poised to bring her signature energy and skill to the next level, adding another exciting chapter to the growing story of women's basketball.