Mom Kia Brooks reacts as $1.5 million NIL-valued Flau’jae Johnson talks about “rewards of pressure”

Flau’jae Johnson’s mom, Kia Brooks, reacted to a Flau’jae video talking about the “rewards of pressure.” The LSU Tigers star has an estimated NIL valuation of $1.5 million, according to On3, as she continues to expand her reach at the intersection of music, sports and business.

In an Instagram post on Monday, Johnson opened up about thriving under pressure with two dreams, a mindset that has brought her this far.

Kia Brooks, who also shares her daughter’s mindset of thriving, reacted to the post on her Instagram story by reaffirming the thoughts that were shared.

Mom Kia Brooks reacts to Flau'jae's Instagram post.

Kia Brooks’ unwavering support and belief in her daughter highlights the strong family foundation that has propelled Johnson.

Flau’jae’s story is nothing short of inspiring. At LSU, she plays a pivotal role in the Tigers’ quest to win another NCAA championship. Her dynamic style of play, paired with her artistry in music, has made her a standout figure not just in sports but across pop culture.

This season, Johnson is averaging 20.9 in scoring, shooting 51.9%, and has been instrumental for No. 6 LSU (14-0).

Beyond basketball, her music career adds another layer to her workload, and yet she manages to balance both with grace.

Flau’jae Johnson shuns playing overseas amidst Brittney Griner’s experience

On Friday's episode of the “Best of Both Worlds” podcast, LSU basketball star and rapper Flau’jae Johnson made her stance on playing overseas crystal clear.

In a candid conversation with teammate Last-Tear Poa, Johnson didn’t hesitate when asked if she would consider pursuing an international basketball career.

“Absolutely not, nope,” Johnson said. “I mean, I already didn’t want to go. And then after that whole Brittney Griner thing, I was like, I’m definitely not going.' Even though that was a whole other situation itself still. Like, I don’t.”

For Johnson, the response was beyond avoiding potential risks, It was about aligning her career path with her personal and professional goals.

“You know, I would like to do my music and stuff in the offseason, so I wouldn’t want to go play overseas,” Flau’jae said. “And now they got this new league called Unrivaled, so if I did want to play, I would play, like, in that league.”

Johnson’s perspective reflects a broader cultural shift among young athletes. Historically, many WNBA players sought lucrative opportunities overseas to supplement their relatively low domestic earnings.