Flau’jae Johnson and Angel Reese were once at the top of women’s college basketball after winning the national championship with the LSU Tigers in 2023. However, it now appears that the two stars may not be as close as they once were—or at least, as they seemed to be.
In a recent appearance on “The Breakfast Club,” Johnson offered more insight into her current relationship with the Chicago Sky star.
Flau’jae Johnson Says ‘Behind the Scenes’ Incidents Affected Her Ties With Angel Reese
Johnson, a senior for the LSU Tigers, was in Los Angeles for the BET Awards, where she was nominated for Sportswoman of the Year—an award that ultimately went to Reese. While at the event, Johnson stopped for an interview and shared her thoughts on her former teammate.
Johnson said, “We’re not friends, but I mean that bond that we had, that thing that we did together, winning a national championship, you can never take that away from us. And so sometimes stuff happens, you wish it don’t happen but it do. And you just gotta grow.”
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When asked whether the two aren’t friends because of their families’ public feud, Johnson responded with, “Yeah, it was a lot of media, it was a lot of locker room stuff, you know what I’m saying? Stuff that go on behind the scenes. But it happens.”
This tension appears to stem from a previous “beef” between Johnson’s mother and Reese’s mother—a fiery back-and-forth on social media where both took shots at each other, ultimately placing their daughters in the middle. Prior to the incident, Johnson and Reese often spoke glowingly about their close bond.
Johnson referenced the 2023 National Championship to emphasize that what she and Reese accomplished together is etched in history. In that memorable matchup, the Tigers defeated Caitlin Clark and the Iowa Hawkeyes. Johnson contributed 10 points, seven rebounds, and four assists, while Reese delivered a dominant all-around performance with 15 points, 10 rebounds, five assists, and three steals.
The LSU star added that she still supports her former teammate, especially when fans take shots at her on social media. Similarly, Reese has addressed the situation on her podcast, acknowledging that while their friendship isn’t what it once was, she still roots for Johnson’s success.
Looking ahead, it will be interesting to see if Johnson makes it to the WNBA next year—and what the atmosphere will be like when the two former teammates and close friends face off on the court.