LSU's Flau'jae Johnson Drafted 8th, Traded to Seattle Storm

Flau'jae Johnson, the standout guard from LSU, was selected eighth overall in the 2026 WNBA Draft by the expansion Golden State Valkyries on Monday night at The Shed in Hudson Yards, New York, only to be traded moments later to the Seattle Storm in a deal that reshaped both teams' rosters.

The Valkyries initially chose Johnson, a 5-foot-10 scoring threat known for her athleticism and perimeter defense, before sending her draft rights to Seattle. In exchange, Golden State acquired the rights to TCU forward Marta Suárez, selected 16th overall, along with the Storm's 2028 second-round pick. The move caught many in attendance off guard, prompting audible reactions from the crowd as WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert announced it ahead of the 17th selection. Johnson, who averaged 14.2 points, 2.5 assists, and 1.3 steals in her senior season at LSU, expressed a mix of gratitude and excitement in a post-draft interview. "It still kind of hasn't hit me yet, I don't think, all the way," she said. "But I mean, just totally grateful, having my family there, my little brother there. Like, that was everything to me."

The evening's emotional highlight came shortly after her name was called,...