Flau’Jae Johnson has never been one to rest on her laurels. Just hours after being named to Forbes’ prestigious 30 Under 30 Class of 2025, she was back in the PMAC, LSU’s 14,000-seat arena nicknamed the “Deaf Dome,” setting up a shooting machine early in the morning. This commitment to improvement encapsulates why she’s more than deserving of her recent accolade.

The PMAC, named after basketball legend Pete Maravich, is an iconic venue, but it was silent that morning. Instead of roaring crowds, Johnson had only the sound of the ball hitting the rim for company. This image of her working alone, a couple of days to go for the next game, striving to refine her game, exemplifies the drive that earned her recognition alongside the likes of NBA star Jayson Tatum and WNBA sensation Caitlin Clark on Forbes’ 30 under 30 list.

Forbes editor Alexandra York highlighted honorees like Johnson as “one of the fastest-growing groups of entrepreneurs and makers reshaping the way the world does business.”

From the court to the mic to the pen Flau’jae’s rise to the top has just been a matter of time, as it was not just about her prowess on the court but about everything else she has achieved on the way. In fact this versatility has helped her earn about $ 2 million from NIL deals alone. Podcast, basketball, music, and college, the LSU junior guard has been doing it all and how.

Johnson has had 6 20+ games in the 9 she has played so far, being the top scorer 6 times on varied occasions. Off the court, she seems to be preparing to release an album of 8 songs. “It’s gonna be beautiful,” she says. Head Coach Kim Mulkey isn’t oblivious to the efforts it takes, lauding the 21-year-old for her ethics.

“I just think F (Johnson) has just this crazy work ethic. When you think about this kid gets up at 5:00 in the morning, she has to go to school, she has to do her music, she has to work on her game, then she has to come to practice, and then she has to you know. I don’t know how she does it but she does it and makes it work and she’s reaping the rewards from her hard work,” Mulkey told media in a post-game conference. 

Just another testament to Johnson’s spot on the Forbes list.

Flau’Jae Johnson’s many talents earn a handsome sum

Johnson’s journey goes far beyond basketball. As an NCAA athlete, rapper, and podcaster, she’s among a new wave of athletes thriving in the NIL era. Her podcast, The Best of Both Worlds with Flau’Jae, highlights her versatility, while her rap career, bolstered by a record deal with Jay-Z’s Roc Nation, showcases her reach beyond sports.

According to Forbes, her total earnings are listed at $7 million, with an impressive 4.2 million followers across social media platforms. All of this success is due to Johnson’s ability to juggle these pursuits without compromising her performance on the court.

Which is why she is quick to emphasize that basketball remains her foundation. “This is what I always tell people,” she noted. “They think, ‘Oh my gosh, you’re getting all these NIL deals. You’re getting all this money.’ But if I wasn’t doing somewhat good on the court, that wouldn’t be a thing. You focus on that, and then everything else just seems to fall in line.”

Despite the buzz surrounding Johnson’s selection, Forbes’ Class of 2025 highlights a generation that is redefining success. With a combined social media following of 300 million and $3.6 billion in funding, this cohort, including figures like TikTok creator Drew Afualo and the Cavinder twins, underscores the transformative influence of Gen Z on industries.

For Flau’Jae Johnson, her work ethic and ambition ensure she remains at the forefront of this movement. Whether through basketball, music, or entrepreneurship, Johnson is proving that she truly embodies the spirit of the 30 Under 30 recognition.