Flau’jae Johnson wants the tiebreaker. The LSU star isn’t forgetting how her battles with Caitlin Clark went down, and she’s already looking ahead to their next showdown, whenever that might be.
With their college rivalry split at one apiece, Johnson made it clear in a recent interview that she won’t be satisfied until she gets another shot at Clark. But this time, it’ll have to wait for the WNBA.
Flau’jae Johnson Calls Clark Her ‘Hardest Opponent’
It’s no secret that Clark left her mark on LSU, literally. And she always ends up being the center of the women’s basketball discussions.
The two-time National Player of the Year went nuclear on Johnson’s squad in last year’s Elite Eight, dropping 41 points and knocking LSU out of the tournament. And even though Clark has now moved on to the WNBA, Johnson still has that game on her mind.
During an interview with Complex, Johnson was asked about the toughest opponents she’s ever faced. Her answer? “Definitely got to be Caitlin Clark.”
She also threw Paige Bueckers into the mix, even though she hasn’t played against her yet, but made sure to emphasize just how much Clark’s game impacted her.
“First year, freshman year, we got it. Second year, she got me. So me and Caitlin, we one and one right now,” Johnson said. “I got to wait until I get into the league to break that tie.”
Clark’s ability to dominate the game as both a scorer and a facilitator left a lasting impression on Johnson. “She was able to just facilitate. She’s like the best passer I think I’ve ever played against, ever in my life,” she admitted.
A Future WNBA Rivalry In The making?
For now, Johnson’s focus is on LSU’s upcoming NCAA Tournament run. But it’s hard not to get excited about the potential of a Clark vs. Johnson battle at the next level.
Clark, who’s already making noise with the Indiana Fever, is proving she can torch defenses just as easily in the pros as she did in college. Johnson, meanwhile, still has time to develop her game before taking the next step. But one thing’s for sure, when that rematch happens, it’s going to be must-watch basketball.
Johnson isn’t the only one eager for round three. Fans are already hyped for the day these two competitors share the court again. Whether it’s next season or a couple of years down the line, the WNBA is in for a treat when this rivalry picks back up.