Black Athletes in the Spotlight: HBCU Sports & Local Highlights
- Flau'jae Johnson embraces losses as fuel, expressing a burning desire to grow into a playoff contender and lift teammates.
- Dominique Malonga emerged as an All-Star forward/center in her second WNBA season, showcasing scoring and interior presence.
- Awa Fam, the third pick, returned from Spain and formed close bonds with Johnson while displaying late-season scoring ability.
- The trio combined for a historic finale: Dominique Malonga 29, Awa Fam 22, Flau'jae Johnson 21, their first all 20-point game showing potential.
- Coach Sonia Raman praised their late-season growth; Johnson plans offseason rest, Seattle exploration, Unrivaled debut, and mentorship from Sue Bird.
Don’t feel bad for the Storm and Flau’jae Johnson, because she’s not shedding tears any more.
Sure, she cried this season. Many times, in fact. She wept during postgame interviews and sobbed privately with teammates when the losses mounted to historic levels.
“What I love about Flau is what you see is what you get,” guard Natisha Hiedeman said. “There’s nothing fake or phony about her. She’s not afraid to be emotional no matter where she’s at.
“I think it’s important to be authentic and be yourself, and that’s what she does.”
To watch the energetic and effervescent Johnson flash a megawatt smile that never left her face during Thursday’s team exit interviews, it would be impossible to guess the 22-year-old rookie guard endured a summer of unprecedented futility.
Yes, the Storm finished last in the WNBA at 8-36. And yes, they set a league record for most losses in a season.
But strangely, the worst year in franchise history feels like the beginning of something special in Seattle.
“This season leaves me with the burning desire to get better,” Johnson said. “A real hunger to use everything as motivation. … So just using everything is fuel right now. Like I’m mad. You know what I’m saying?
“I don’t want to be watching the playoffs. Like, you feel me? I want to be in the playoffs. But I know, it takes time. We’re building, and we’re growing. But I’m a competitor, so I’m going to use that.”
Johnson is reminded of handwritten note from her former LSU associate head coach, Bob Starkey. He told her that Tigers greats and Hall of Famers Seimone Augustus and Sylvia Fowles spent six and eight years, respectively in the WNBA before winning their first championships.
“It takes time even for the greats,” Starkey said.
“That’s my mindset,” Johnson said. “I’m just going to be right where I am, and I’m just going to let it develop. My next [goal] while I’m trying to become the player that I want to be, making sure that I make [teammate Dominique Malonga] better and make [teammate Awa Fam] better. I feel like if I can do that, then like we’re going to be exactly who we think we can be.”
In many ways, Johnson’s success, as well as the Storm’s, hinges on the growth of Malonga, who became an All-Star forward/center in her second season, and Fam, who was taken third in this year’s WNBA draft, five spots before Johnson.
In relatively short time, the Storm rookies became close friends.
“When I was in Spain playing games, she was asking me questions,” said the 20-year-old Fam, who missed the first six games this season while playing for Liga Femenina Endesa in Spain. “She was texting me and asking if she could call me, and I didn’t know her really. She was like, ‘Can we do a FaceTime, please?’ And I was like, ‘Damn, this is a little weird.’ But she’s just amazing.
“We know that maybe we’re going to play a lot of years together, and I’m just super happy for that, because she’s not just my teammate, she’s my friend. She’s my little sister. … I can’t imagine my life in Seattle without her.”
In the regular-season finale, a 103-91 loss to the Dallas Wings, Malonga scored 29 points, Fam had 22 and Johnson 21. It was the first time the trio scored at least 20 in the same game.
It was also a glimpse of what’s ahead.
“Just so proud of what they were able to do,” coach Sonia Raman said. “They way they took care of their bodies. The way that they were able to be at this high level late in the season. … They’re playing their best basketball at the end of the season, and that’s what you want, and that’s what we want to build on for them and for the team for next year.”
Before then, there’s so much Johnson wants to do in the offseason.
The burgeoning rap artist won’t release a fourth album in November as previously planned. Instead, she’s to going to prioritize resting her tired legs and exploring Seattle.
“It’s an underrated city,” Johnson said. “It’s ‘naturery,’ and it’s a city. I really be outside in Seattle. It’s a vibe.
“ … It’s so cool, and that’s the type of person I am. I love being here. I love how they support sports. This is a real sports town. My first Torrent game, it was sold out. I was like, ‘Oh my God, this is crazy.’ ”
Johnson is going to vacation in Spain with Fam and wants to celebrate Malonga’s 21st birthday in Las Vegas.
“She made that up,” Malonga said laughing. “Nothing is happening.”
Maybe not, but Johnson is scheduled to make her debut in the 3-on-3 basketball league Unrivaled next year and hopes to train with Las Vegas Aces star Jackie Young.
Johnson is also excited about getting on the court with Sue Bird, the Storm legend who has been a supportive mentor.
“I’m going to be so good,” Johnson said smiling and drawing laughs from reporters. “I want to be such a good passer. … I feel like Sue can help me with my vision, because she was one of the greatest passers ever to play the game.
“ … To be here in her franchise, this is Sue’s home, and so for her to embrace me, it just feels really, really good.”
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