2024 will be a historic year for the WNBA, with viewership skyrocketing, new stars like Caitlin Clark, attendance and merchandise purchases, and social media engagement booming. I did.
There's no question that the league's new star additions like Clark, Angel Reese, and regular All-Stars like A'ja Wilson and Brianna Stewart have strengthened women's basketball.
But for one WNBA hopeful, the game's popularity this year is just the “tip of the iceberg.”
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
Fraujai Johnson of the LSU Tigers before a game against the Northwestern State Demons at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center on Nov. 9, 2024 in Baton Rouge. (Kristen Young/LSU/Getty Images)
“The WNBA has finally found a spark and this is the first year it's really started, but it's only going to get bigger from here,” says LSU star Frauge Johnson discussing NIL partnership with Unrivaled He told FOX News Digital at the time. A basketball league co-founded by Stewart and Nafeesa Collier.
“There's going to be more stars, there's going to be more stories, there's going to be more basketball players, there's going to be more teams. That's the most exciting thing is that the league is still growing. It's not even at its peak yet.”
When it comes to college athletes in today's NIL realm, Johnson is a rarity. She prides herself on being one of the most marketable players due to her budding rap career and influence on social media.
But don't get me wrong. This is a woman who wakes up at 5 a.m. to get her shot to start her day. And she knows that two years from now, she will be eligible for the WNBA Draft and waiting to turn professional.
Caitlin Clark makes less than $80,000 but is responsible for more than a quarter of WNBA revenue, experts say
And when that happens, Johnson wants to make history.
“There's going to be so much going on with this. There's going to be the first million-dollar contract. There's going to be a first of this, there's going to be a first of that. There's going to be a lot more history. It’s going to be broken,” she said. he said excitedly.
Johnson believes the 2023 NCAA Women's Basketball National Championship marks a turning point for the sport. That was the game where she helped the Tigers defeat Clark's Iowa Hawkeyes.
Johnson is the latest example of a star being born before reaching the pros.
Angel of the LSU Lady Tigers reacts after a 79-72 victory over the Virginia Tech Hokies in the 2023 NCAA Tournament Final Four game at American Airlines Center on March 31, 2023 in Dallas, Texas.・Reese (right) and Fraujaj Johnson. (Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
“If you ask me, I think college basketball has really taken off. If it wasn't for the excitement that year when we won the national championship, it wouldn't have been a big deal. It would be a big deal, but… It wouldn't have been as big as it is now,'' Johnson said.
“That started in college and led to Caitlin and Angel becoming professional players going to the league, and that's going to continue.”
Along with Johnson, take UConn's Paige Bueckers. Some believe she could have the same impact as Clark on the WNBA since she also has a NIL partnership with Unrivaled. She will likely be selected by the Dallas Wings as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 draft.
And while they may be considered the “next generation,” they are already having an impact on those who come after them.
“Yesterday was kind of shocking to me,” Johnson said after a recent game. “One of my fans tagged me on TikTok and there was this girl who had a big (number) 4 iced out chain and came to our game for her birthday. I'm like, “Today is the most important day of your life.'' Your birthday.
“We played a bad team and we outscored them by 100 points. She was so happy and we were able to interact and do all that. I feel like I have to do more in that area because it's valuable enough for her. ”
Johnson has stepped into every field he can, but will need a strong work ethic to lead the Tigers to another national championship.
LSU Tigers women's basketball player Frauge Johnson speaks at the world premiere of “The Money Game” at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center on September 4, 2024 in Baton Rouge. (LSU Athletics/University Images via Getty Images)
However, it is no exaggeration to say that the future of women's basketball is bright. Johnson said these women are finally being respected for how great they can be above the hardwood forests.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
“It was always there,” Johnson said of the WNBA star. “Stewie has always been there. Sue Bird has always been there. The time is now, and when the time comes, we will put all our resources into it and do everything to make it bigger and better for the next generation.” Invest in everything. Girls will feel more confident when they see the girls in front of them.”
Follow sports coverage on Fox News Digital's X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
