Flau’jae Johnson is quickly becoming a household name as both a music artist and a rising talent on the collegiate basketball scene for women.
But as she gets ready for her final year at LSU, she is growth-oriented and has no qualms about consulting with NBA greats like Klay Thompson and Kyrie Irving for guidance. Johnson said on Shannon Sharpe’s Club Shay Shay that she had called Thompson to tell him how much she admired his game and to inquire about seeing him train.
The reason Johnson texts Klay Thompson is that he has always been amazed by his footwork and balance, Johnson explained. I would love to come and observe you in action. It felt as if I wanted to observe your job.
“We can definitely get some shots up when I get back to Dallas,” Klay Thompson told me after we collided. As a result, I have been tacking on.
Klay Thompson’s Message to Flau’jae Johnson
Johnson claimed that Thompson’s remark made her feel “seen” while she prepared for a professional career, which is significant given that her offseason has been somewhat eventful and has involved a romance that has garnered headlines. She views studying under one of the NBA’s top shooters as more than just an admiration; it’s a means to an end—better preparation.
Receiving praise from my contemporaries is “so cool,” she exclaimed. “All I want to do is learn, particularly about basketball. I also want to do nothing more than sit around and wonder, ‘What’s your routine?'” Inquire about such matters.
The shift from a structured lifestyle to one that emphasizes self-discipline and individual responsibility that occurs after collegiate basketball is something that Sharpe praised in Johnson’s mentality.
The pursuit of mentorship by Johnson could be pivotal in a league where players’ success is frequently dependent on their time management skills.
Flau’jae Johnson’s Surprise Encounter with Kyrie Irving
At the NBA Summer League. Johnson also met Klay’s Mavericks teammate Irving, who offered praise for both her music and her on-court talent.
“Oh, my gosh! I met Kyrie Irving yesterday, and it was so cool,” Johnson said. “He was like, ‘I really respect what you do. I love your raps. I love your basketball.’ And then, I was talking to one of his affiliates, and he was like, ‘Yeah, we’re gonna get you and [Kyrie] in the gym.’ I’m trying to act like I’m not tweaking out, but I’m like cool. I’m geeked.”
Johnson, who has helped lead LSU to multiple deep tournament runs, continues to build her brand and game simultaneously. But her willingness to ask questions and learn from NBA champions may be her most valuable trait yet.
Klay Thompson is Staying in the News
Though Thompson’s relationship with Megan Thee Stallion has kept him in the public eye (they were spotted together at the Pete & Thomas Foundation Gala in New York), he has also taken the time during his offseason to mentor Kon Knueppel, a rookie for the Charlotte Hornets. In addition, a video of him shooting 72 straight 3-pointers during a recent exercise went viral. Teens and young players look up to Thompson, a four-time NBA champion and five-time All-Star, and want to mimic his shooting style, off-ball movement, and flexible defense. That mentorship has become quite close to Flau’jae Johnson currently. All it takes is a quick text message. All the more reason for her to make the most of her connections as her final season draws near. With veterans like Thompson and Irving so eager to teach the younger players, the Mavericks have a luxury as they welcome Cooper Flagg, the first overall pick, into the fold.
Leave a Reply