Flau’jae Johnson is perhaps the biggest name in women’s college basketball with Angel Reese, Caitlin Clark and this year’s rookie class underway in the WNBA. LSU’s 20-year-old guard is not only one of the best guards in the country, her popularity continues to grow both on and off the court.
She is a fantastic example of how to build a brand in the era of Name, Image and Likeness!
Johnson is a star on the hardwood but that is not what defines her. The rising junior is signed to Jay-Z’s Roc Nation as a blossoming rapper and boasts nearly two million followers on Instagram.
Where student-athletes used to be confined to the false label of amateurism, NIL has allowed them to become something more than their sport. Although many of her partnerships with big-name brands like Powerade, Apple and Amazon came through her basketball prowess, Flau’jae Johnson is not confined to the gym and is more than just a hooper.
That is something that she hopes to convey to the younger generation!
Flau’jae Johnson is a multi-talented business woman.
Johnson recently spoke how she approaches Name, Image and Likeness while also navigating academics, athletics and music during an appearance on The Stephen A. Smith Show. It can be a challenge.
I feel real strong about it. The money is a blessing, don’t get me wrong. I got to change my family’s life and invest in everything. But the thing for me is more so the accountability and building that business brand and trust.
If you promote something and you do everything the way you’re supposed to do it, you’re gonna get more and more deals and more and more good karma. So for me it’s handling my business and being a businesswoman. Not playing with people’s time.
— Flau’jae Johnson
Even though NIL opportunities add more to her plate, Johnson understands the business side. An obligatory post or appearance might seem daunting when it is first placed on the calendar. However, she understands how fortunate she is to be in her position and could not be more grateful.
If I’ve gotta do the post or I’ve gotta do the content, that’s what I’ve gotta do. That only lines up for bigger things. I’m happy to be able to have that on my plate. A lot of kids don’t have NIL deals. People think you go to college and I’m about to get this NIL. It don’t work like that. So I’m blessed.
— Flau’jae Johnson
As Johnson continues to skyrocket toward superstardom, LSU’s starting point guard remains humble. Her hometown of Savannah, Georgia is always in her heart and she hopes to inspire others to pursue their dreams. The money is great. The positive impact that Johnson has on the community is greater.
You’ve got to realize where I come from. I come from Savannah, Georgia. That city is nothing to play with.
My dad died in that city. My mom’s dad got killed in that city. My stepdad got killed in that city.
So it’s bigger than me because I see kids and I made it out. I know that I didn’t see nobody in a predicament. I couldn’t grab and reach and touch nobody in that place. I want to build a resource center in my city where I could really leave an imprint on my community because that’s where I gotta start.
I want to show them that you can make it happen.
— Flau’jae Johnson
Sports and/or music is not the only way out. Flau’jae Johnson is also going to graduate from college in addition to all of her other ventures. That is an accomplishment in itself!
You don’t got to sell drugs, you don’t gotta rob. You really don’t even gotta rap. You really don’t even gotta play basketball. I’m going to get my degree too.
So I’m just trying to show the kids you can do it in a positive way. That impact is so necessary.
I always use the quote, “Make sure you aspire to inspire before you expire.”
— Flau’jae Johnson
No matter what happens in basketball or in music, Johnson hopes that her legacy will be defined by what she leaves behind. Flau’jae the business woman works hard to ensure success beyond her sport and music, but the ability to impact future generations is what means the most!