Before a Sprinter van could whisk away Flau’jae Johnson, it first had to park itself outside the Pete Maravich Assembly Center and wait — for shoes to stop squeaking, for a ball to stop bouncing, for the final horn to sound.
The van’s job was simple: stand by while the Spayberry High School graduate concluded one order of business, then roll onto Interstate 10 and bolt her down to New Orleans, where she was to take up a different task entirely.
It was Dec. 12, 2023, and Johnson had a concert to attend.
She wanted to see Rod Wave, the Florida-born rapper, singer and songwriter with three No. 1 hits on the Billboard 200. Johnson secured backstage passes to his Tuesday night show in the Smoothie King Center, so her mother and manager, Kia Brooks, hatched a plan.
But first, Johnson and the LSU women’s basketball team had a game against McNeese State.
So, before LSU’s half-college basketball player, half-rapper and recording artist, could enjoy the concert, she first had 27 minutes to play, 16 points to score, five baskets to assist on and five turnovers to force.
In the Tigers’ 133-44 win, Johnson contributed in the same ways she has for most of her sophomore season — through complementary scoring and perimeter defense.
Her other half is what makes her unique. Johnson is pursuing two separate careers, one in basketball and one in music, and she’s hell-bent on finding enough time in her days for both, so she can maximize her potential in each venture — without neglecting either one.
It may sound daunting. But so far, Johnson is making it work.
Throughout this season, LSU coach Kim Mulkey has taken multiple opportunities to highlight Johnson’s on-court growth and the elements she added to her game between her freshman and sophomore years. She has flashed a better knack for attacking defenses off the dribble. And as a result,…
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