"I would have some decisions to make": Flau'jae Johnson reveals which arena could've made her flip LSU commitment
Flau'jae Johnson and LSU have become synonymous with each other. One cannot imagine the Savannah, Georgia native donning anything other than the purple and gold of the Tigers.
During an Overtime interview on Thursday with Johnson, when asked about the arena she enjoys playing in the most; she said the Thompson–Boling Arena where the Tennessee Lady Vols play may have been an alternative to joining LSU.
"Besides the PMAC, I would say Tennessee. Because Tennessee is nice, they whole arena is fire, I ain't gonna lie," Flau'jae said. "I'm glad I ain't take my visit because if I would've taken my visit and seen that arena, I would have some decisions to make."
"But I think they might have the nicest arena in the SEC by far. Oh, It's beautiful. I love playing there," she added. "When I played there last year, I was sick, so I didn't get to enjoy it ... but Tennessee definitely had the best arena."
Flau'jae Johnson's love of the Tennessee arena is not surprising, given the rich history and tradition of the Lady Vols program.
The Thompson–Boling Arena in Knoxville, Tennessee, home to their men's basketball, women's basketball and women's volleyball programs, is among the biggest on-campus arenas in the country, seating over 21,000 people.
Flau'jae Johnson speaks about leading LSU in the upcoming season
After the departure of LSU's star player Angel Reese, the Tigers will look to rising junior Flau'jae Johnson to take on a larger leadership role in the new season.
Johnson guided Kim Mulkey's team to national championship glory in her freshman year and will now attempt to lead LSU for their second championship.
"Yeah, the spotlight will be on me, but that’s why basketball is a team sport. Like I say, I’m on my team to be there. I have to lead them. I’m the captain," Flau'jae Johnson told the NY Post.
"Like they say, the good players, they’re good, but the great players, they help bring people up with them. So like, that’s what I want to do, like have to build my team up because I want to do something special at LSU."
Flau'jae Johnson averaged 14.9 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game in her sophomore year. She was named All-SEC second team last season.
Besides, for the upcoming season, coach Mulkey added four players from the transfer portal: Mjracle Sheppard, Jersey Wolfenbarger, Kailyn Gilbert and Shayeann Day-Wilson, each with the potential to contribute significantly.