Black Athletes in the Spotlight: HBCU Sports & Local Highlights
- Flau’jae Johnson averaged 14.9 points, 40.2% shooting, 4.8 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 1.4 steals and 0.7 blocks in 42 games.
- Flau’jae Johnson became the first rookie in WNBA history with at least 600 points, 200 rebounds, 100 assists, 50 steals and 28 blocks.
- Flau’jae Johnson set Seattle Storm rookie records: points (626), 25-point games (6), steals (58), made field goals (221), 3-pointers (60), minutes (1,204).
- An LSU product, Johnson was drafted eighth by Golden State Valkyries then traded to Seattle in a draft-night deal to preserve salary cap flexibility.
- All-Rookie teammates included Olivia Miles, Azzi Fudd, Pauline Astier, Kiki Rice and Sydney Taylor; second straight Seattle honoree in four years.
Seattle Storm guard Flau’jae Johnson was named to the WNBA’s All-Rookie Team on Wednesday.
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Johnson, who was the runner-up to Minnesota’s Olivia Miles for Rookie of the Year, averaged 14.9 points on 40.2% shooting from the field while adding 4.8 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 1.4 steals and 0.7 blocks over 42 games this season. She scored a season-high 29 points on Sept. 20 against Las Vegas.
The 22-year-old Johnson finished second among rookies in average scoring, rebounds and steals, and eighth in assists. She also became the first rookie in league history with at least 600 points, 200 rebounds, 100 assists, 50 steals and 28 blocks in a season.
Johnson set Storm rookie records for points (626), games with at least 25 points (six), steals (58), made field goals (221), made 3-pointers (60) and minutes (1,204).
Johnson, an LSU product, was selected eighth overall in the WNBA Draft by Golden State Valkyries, but her rights were dealt to Seattle in a stunning draft night trade that sent the rights of 16th overall pick Marta Suarez to Golden State. Valkyries general manager Ohemaa Nyanin said the trade was done to maintain salary cap flexibility.
Miles, Dallas’ Azzi Fudd, New York’s Pauline Astier, Toronto’s Kiki Rice and Chicago’s Sydney Taylor joined Johnson on the All-Rookie team.
Johnson’s selection marked the second straight season and the third time in the past four years a Seattle player earned the honors. Forward Dominque Malonga was an All-Rookie pick in 2025 and guard Jordan Horston in 2023.
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