Flau’jae Johnson has spoken out on her relationship with Angel Reese, admitting the pair have “grown apart” following their time together at LSU under Kim Mulkey

Flau’jae Johnson admitted that she and Angel Reese have grown apart since playing together at LSU

Flau’jae Johnson has echoed Angel Reese’s sentiments that their relationship has changed since their successful stint together at LSU.

The pair were a formidable force on the basketball court, playing under Kim Mulkey for two seasons. Their powerful partnership led the Tigers to an NCAA title victory over Caitlin Clark and Iowa in 2023, and they reached the Elite Eight the following year.

However, since parting ways, it appears that the chemistry between Johnson and Reese, which was so evident both on and off the court, has faded.

Johnson is currently preparing for her junior year at LSU, while Reese left Baton Rouge for the 2024 WNBA Draft, where she was picked by the Chicago Sky as the No 7 overall selection, reports the Mirror US.

In a recent interview with the New York Post, Johnson admitted: “Yeah, me and Angel, we aren’t as close as we used to be. But I still support her 1000 percent. I was proud of her, just being in the W[NBA] and breaking records,” reports the Mirror US.

She added: “A lot of people said that she wouldn’t go to the W[NBA] and do all those things and they kinda hated on her. But I kinda knew that because I’d see it everyday in practice and I see the mentality that she has. So, it’s been dope [to watch her].”

While chatting on the “Unapologetically Angel” podcast recently, Reese was frank about her current standing with Johnson. “I still support Flau’jae. We aren’t as close as we used to be,” admitted the key player, who had her season cut short due to a wrist injury sustained in a clash with the Los Angeles Sparks on the 6th of September.

(Image: Getty Images)
“And there’s no hard feelings or anything, but we aren’t as close as we used to be. That’s why people always expect us to still posting each other but we aren’t as close. It happens. You don’t have the best relationships with everybody and don’t always continue relationships with people. So, I wish her the best always. I’m always going to support her.”

The fact that Reese and Johnson are not as inseparable as they once seemed may come as quite the shock, especially considering how tight-knit they appeared back in April. Following LSU’s Elite Eight defeat to Iowa, the duo robustly defended each other against detractors and naysayers.

“Everybody can have their opinion on Angel Reese, but y’all don’t know her,” a passionate Johnson declared at a postgame press conference. “Y’all don’t know Angel Reese. I know Angel Reese. I know the real Angel Reese and the person I see every day is a strong person, is a caring, loving person.

“The crown she wears is heavy. She’s the type of teammate that’s going to make you believe in yourself. The leap that I took from my freshman to my sophomore year, Angel gave me that confidence to go be a dog.”