Seattle Storm's new guard Flau'jae Johnson says she's ready to 'come take over' a new coast
Flau'jae Johnson is fresh off a whirlwind WNBA Draft, having been selected eighth overall by the Golden State Valkyries, only to immediately be traded to the Seattle Storm.
The 22-year-old basketball star spoke with "Good Morning America" on Wednesday and said she was surprised by the sudden trade move but is taking it all in stride.
"The main thing for me was getting my name called," Johnson said. "It was no stress -- all I had to do was look really pretty -- I have no control over who picks me, but I'm glad Seattle got me. They got a good one, and they really wanted me, so I'm excited to be there."
The former Louisiana State University star guard attended the 2026 WNBA Draft on Monday in New York City with her entire family, including her younger brother Aydin, who promptly power-walked to join his sister on stage moments after the selection.
"That was everything to me, because me and my family, we're so tight, and that little boy right there is a superstar," she said. "It's just been a great week for me and my family in this new transition."
Johnson got a sweet surprise video message from her brother on "GMA," in which he hailed her three-point shooting skills, their mutual "bloodline," and said, "You the one that made me better, and you the one that made me fast."
Now, Johnson is gearing up to make a big impact with her new team.
"I bring the energy. I play hard both sides of the ball, and I want to win," she said. "When I came to college, I won a national championship, and I was with a winning squad -- I know it takes time to build, but I'm ready to come in, I'm ready to make an impact, and most of all, I'm ready to learn."
Johnson said her new reality set in once she was added to the Storm's team group chat.
"I'm kind of like, 'Oh my God I'm in the WNBA for real,'" she recalled with a laugh.
As the first-ever WNBA Draft pick from Savannah, Georgia, Johnson, who is leaving for Seattle later today, said she's excited to "bring my swag to the city."
Upon watching live reactions in Seattle, she said she thought, "Wow, another spot that I can come take over. I can impact, I can build community -- it's just a new coast to take over."
