LSU’s Last-Tear Poa reveals emotional story behind her name on Flau’jae Johnson’s podcast: “I’m really grateful”

Flau’jae Johnson, the LSU basketball standout and burgeoning hip-hop artist, is making waves both on and off the court. Johnson’s podcast has also become a platform for meaningful conversations. Recently, she had her teammate Last-Tear Poa as the guest, who shared a heartfelt story behind her name.

During their discussion, Johnson asked Poa to explain the origins of her name. Poa revealed that her great-grandmother, a revered figure in her family, played a pivotal role in its significance. She shared:

"Before my great-grandma died, everyone in my family looked up to her. She was like the queen of the family, and people would always do what she said."

Before her passing, Poa’s great-grandmother had a dream that someone in her family’s next generation was pregnant. Though her mother didn’t confirm it, at the time, the dream turned out to be true. Later, as her great-grandmother lay on her deathbed, she symbolically passed on her “last tear” before taking her final breath. Poa explained:

"Well, the name was gonna be born with something 'last tear'. Well it ended up being me, but when I was born, I actually have a beauty spot underneath my left eye of the 'last tear' that came down. 'I'm just I'm really grateful and I love my name I embrace it all the time too."

In addition to discussing her name, Poa opened up about her journey from playing basketball in Australia to achieving success with LSU. The conversation also touched on the challenges international athletes face with NIL opportunities, her experience playing under Coach Kim Mulkey, and her goals for the season.

LSU’s stellar season and Flau’jae Johnson’s leadership

The Tigers maintain their undefeated record and are ranked No. 4 in the nation. The All-American guard is averaging 22 points and six rebounds per game. However, Johnson’s influence extends far beyond basketball. She has become a leader in the NIL space and earned a spot on Forbes’ “30 Under 30” list. Her entrepreneurial spirit now includes an equity stake in the Unrivaled 3-on-3 women’s basketball league.

Adding to her list of accomplishments, Johnson revealed her first player-exclusive sneaker with PUMA, the All-Pro NITRO. However, the NCAA rules prevent her from wearing the shoe during LSU games due to sponsorship restrictions.

The sneaker features a camo pattern with the number 4, honoring her late father, the rapper Camoflauge. Other personalized elements include the quotes “Mama raised a beast” and “We worked on this,” which pay tribute to her mother’s support. Her signature “Big 4” hand gesture is prominently displayed on the tongue, while her favorite chain is depicted on the heel. Johnson introduced the sneaker during an episode of her show, "Best of Both Worlds with Flau’jae".

Johnson’s partnership with PUMA has positioned her alongside NBA stars Tyrese Haliburton, LaMelo Ball, and Scoot Henderson, as well as WNBA champion Breanna Stewart. Despite her success in branding, Johnson remains focused on her goals with LSU. The Tigers have a strong schedule ahead, hosting Albany on Dec. 29 before beginning SEC play at Arkansas on Jan. 2.

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