Q&A: Flau'Jae Johnson's ready to shine in junior season at LSU
Flau’Jae Johnson has been in the spotlight since arriving at LSU, going from the SEC Freshman of the year, to a national champion, to an All-SEC Second Team selection and now one of three Co-SEC Players of the Year entering her junior season.
Johnson joins Aneesah Morrow and Mikaylah Williams as a returning core that has the Tigers as a top 10 team in the country and one that is set to content for an SEC title once again under head coach Kim Mulkey. Last week, LSU headed to Birmingham, Alabama to speak at SEC Media Day and meet with the press. Johnson talked about her new team, her offseason, and more. Here’s everything she said.
On her approach to this season…
“Being a junior now, you get a feel for everything that is going on. You don’t think too much about the [preseason], you think about getting on a roll at the right time and on a roll when SEC play comes around. It’s just about building right now, learning each other, and keeping that chemistry growing.”
On balancing music and basketball this offseason…
“I’m just really locked in on this season. We got a new team,. Every day we have to come in and play hard and stack days. That’s what it’s about right now. Music is where my heart is, but I’m itching to get on the floor.”
On the changes with this year’s roster…
“It’s a new team. Angel did a lot of the rebounding, so everyone is going to have to contribute there, but can’t forget that Aneesah was top three in the country in double-doubles and we have 6-6, 6-7 and 6-5, so we’re alright.”
Does this team feel different?
“This is a different version of LSU. Last year, we didn’t push the ball as much as we could have, but this year, we’re going to be moving fast and that’s an emphasis from coach Mulkey this year. Obviously, her emphasis is always defense, defense, defense, but we’re definitely quicker this year.”
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What did you work on over the offseason?
“I worked a lot on my cardio. I’m in the best shape I’ve ever been in with conditioning. When we scrimmage, I don’t even get tired. That’s been the biggest emphasis for me, building good habits when I’m tired.”
Which of the newcomers have stood out to you?
“Jada [Richard] is a really good guard, but also Shayanne [Day-Wilson] has been a really good point guard for us. She’s trying to make everybody happy and get everybody the ball, so she’s been doing a great job for us.”
On being one of the SEC POTYs…
“It’s cool, but it’s more just like an opinion. Last year, it was a fact that I was second team All SEC and I wasn’t really feeling that, so that’s what I’m really holding onto. Player of the year is whatever, but I love having something to be mad about.”
The mindset going into this year…
“Last year is all the motivation I need, really. Knowing that we were right there, two games away from the championship and we went home early. That still makes me mad just like it did when we lost. I don’t cry, but it’s turned into anger and that’s all I need.”
