Flau'jae Johnson Signed With Unrivaled, and the Emerald City Is Already Buzzing
Woah, Storm fans! You gotta hear this. Our rookie guard, Flau'jae Johnson, just inked a multi-year deal with Unrivaled, that 3-on-3 league. The news dropped on Monday, and honestly, it caught me off guard. Our 22-year-old talent, just 17 games into her WNBA career, is already making moves like this. What does this even mean for her, and more importantly, for our beloved Storm?
The Unrivaled Journey: From NIL to Pro Baller
Alright, so let's break this down. Unrivaled, that 3-on-3 league, announced Johnson's multi-year contract on Monday. She's actually the second player from the WNBA's 2026 draft class to jump on board, right after Minnesota Lynx guard Olivia Miles. But here's the kicker: Johnson and Miles were both part of the 2025 Future is Unrivaled class. Remember that NIL initiative? Yeah, it also included future WNBA rookies like Lauren Betts, Azzi Fudd, Ta'Niya Latson, and Kiki Rice. In fact, Fudd just last week announced she'd be playing for Project B, a global league kicking off this December. Johnson herself said, and I quote, "From signing one of the first NIL deals with Unrivaled to now joining the league as a player, it's been incredible to see this journey come full circle." It really makes you think about these new opportunities for players.
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Rookie Numbers and The Path Ahead
Now, let's talk about what Johnson has been doing on the court for our Storm. Through 17 games, all starts, the 22-year-old guard is averaging a solid 11.4 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 2.3 assists. Those are respectable rookie numbers, especially as a starter. But, and this is where the fan in me gets a little antsy, her shooting percentages are still a work in progress. She's hitting only 34.0% from the field and 25.0% from beyond the arc. We know she's got the talent, she was a two-time All-American at LSU, even won a national championship back in 2022-23, averaging 14.6 points and 5.3 boards in 141 college games. The potential is undeniable. But with this Unrivaled deal, does it mean more time away? Does it affect her focus? These are the questions rattling around the Emerald City. Our rookies need to be all in, developing their game right here at Climate Pledge Arena.
What This Means for Our Storm Family
Look, Johnson's talent is legit, and it's awesome she's getting these opportunities. But as Storm fans, we're all about her growth with the team. We're in the early part of the season, watching our squad gel and our rookies find their footing. This Unrivaled deal is a huge deal for her personally, but we just hope it doesn't take away from her journey here in Seattle. We need her developing that shot, refining her game, and being 100% committed to the green and blue. The future is bright for Flau'jae, no doubt, but our eyes are glued to her progress right here, right now, with our Storm. Go Storm!
This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.