While Flau'jae Johnson has ended her collegiate career with LSU during March Madness, her chances of being a high overall pick have not diminished.

Johnson knew that, but gave an honest answer when NBC Sports asked which team she’d like to join as a rookie. While she stayed humble, she did not forget to throw some playful shade at teams that might overlook her talent.

“My mindset right now is really just like I can’t control none of that... I’m like whoever picked me, I’m grateful, you know, to even have an opportunity to play in the WNBA. Like that sounds crazy. And then whoever doesn’t pick me, I get to see them all the time, you know, I get to play them,” Johnson said.

Johnson immediately became one of the core members of LSU upon her arrival in 2022. She earned the trust of coach Kim Mulkey and helped the Angel Reese-led team win their first national championship.

The "heart of the LSU" didn’t have her best season last year. Despite this, Mulkey still made Johnson the first name in the starting five. This showcased the coach's trust in the 22-year-old's abilities.

Johnson finished the last season of her collegiate career with averages of 14.2 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game.

Johnson previously expressed her desire to be the top pick, but just hearing her name called brings back childhood nostalgia.

"I just want to hear my name get called. That’s it. Like, that is so crazy. I used to play 2K all the time since a kid, and now my name is getting called for the draft. That’s crazy,” Flau’jae showed gratitude.

Her consistent efforts have earned recognition in mock drafts, which now rank her among the top picks.

Flau'jae Johnson's Projected Draft Number Revealed as She Headlines WNBA Draft Invitee List

The most recent mock drafts by ESPN and Sports Illustrated projected that the 22-year-old is expected to land anywhere between the fifth and seventh pick. The teams expected to land her are the Chicago Sky and Portland Fire.

The league announced a 15-player invite list that includes several projected lottery picks, notably Awa Fam, Lauren Betts, Azzi Fudd, and Olivia Miles, per Bleacher Report's Joseph Zucker, with Flau'jae Johnson also among the invitees. It highlights the depth of a class that features a mix of international and college talent.

The WNBA Draft is scheduled for April 13, and it will be interesting to see where Flau'jae Johnson ends up.

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Written by

Joy Bassy