Basketball rivalries are often most intense when played on the court, but sometimes, the competitive spirit extends to unexpected arenas. This was precisely the case in October 2024. It was when two of college basketball’s biggest stars, Flau’jae Johnson and Paige Bueckers, took on coaching roles in a highly anticipated Overtime Select matchup.
Flau’Jae Johnson Reflects on Coaching Defeat Against Paige Bueckers
Fans were eager to see how the two NCAA standouts would handle the responsibility of leading top-tier high school athletes in a head-to-head battle. While both players embraced the challenge with enthusiasm, Johnson found herself in an all-too-familiar position — on the losing end against Bueckers.
Despite the lighthearted nature of the game, Johnson, known for her competitive drive, was visibly frustrated by the outcome.
During a conversation with five-star recruit Jezelle “GG” Banks on her podcast “Best of Both Worlds with Flau’jae,” she reflected on the loss with a mix of humor and determination. A clip of their discussion, shared on the show’s official Instagram page, captured Johnson’s candid reaction to once again coming up short against Bueckers.
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“You pick me again to be your coach or not?” Johnson asked Banks.
“Yes. Overtime know better than to put me on Paige’s team. She has some monkey in her. I’ll give her that. She has a little bit of it. I can’t keep taking these Ls on camera and crashing out. Give me one more chance. I’m telling you, start from a year. That’s the one. We’re going to get you one.”
Her frustration, though humorous, highlighted just how much she hates losing, even in a non-traditional basketball setting. While she accepted the defeat, her words made it clear that she was eager for redemption.
Given her relentless attitude and drive to win, it is likely only a matter of time before she seeks another opportunity to even the score with Bueckers in a coaching matchup.
Flau’Jae Johnson Underestimated LSU’s Fan Power in a Lost Bet
While losing to Bueckers on the sidelines was one thing, Johnson also found herself on the wrong side of another bet — this time off the court and against her boyfriend, Chris Hilton Jr.
In a fun and unexpected twist, she admitted defeat in a wager that revolved around their social media presence, proving that even she failed to fully grasp the power of LSU’s dedicated fanbase.
The bet stemmed from a disagreement over which of their themed photoshoots would receive more engagement on social media.
Back in December 2024, the couple had taken part in two different photoshoots: one with a cozy Christmas theme featuring matching red pajamas against a festive backdrop and another LSU-themed shoot that embraced their connection to the Tigers.
Confident that the holiday spirit would resonate more with their followers, Johnson believed the Christmas shoot would attract the most attention. Hilton Jr., however, was certain that the LSU-themed images would be the clear winner.
Initially, Johnson’s bet seemed reasonable. When they posted the Christmas photos on social media, the pictures gained significant traction, marking the couple’s official online debut. However, things took a turn when they shared their LSU-themed photos on Valentine’s Day.
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The striking images, featuring the couple in LSU jerseys against a dramatic black background, immediately captured fans’ attention. One particular shot was even a nod to the early 2000s film “Love & Basketball,” further fueling engagement.
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In the end, Hilton Jr. was correct. The LSU-themed pictures amassed nearly 500,000 likes, significantly outperforming the Christmas post, which garnered around 400,000. Accepting her loss in good humor, Johnson admitted on her podcast, “He was right!”
While the bet was all in fun, it reinforced just how passionate LSU fans are about their team. Even Johnson, a key player for LSU, had underestimated their unwavering support.
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