Flau'jae Johnson Speaks at EBONY Power 100 Gala
The Seattle Storm rookie was honored at the publication's 2026 Power 100 Gala in Los Angeles on Monday.
Updated on Nov. 11, 2026 in Basketball
Seattle Storm player Flau'jae Johnson spoke at EBONY's 2026 Power 100 Gala at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles. The event honored professionals in entertainment, business, sports, media, music, and STEM, and marked the publication's 80-year history.
Why it matters
Johnson's rookie season drew recognition beyond the court, with the award placing her among the honorees chosen for their influence across multiple fields. The gala also highlighted the growing visibility of young athletes in the WNBA.
Johnson's 2026 regular season averages were 14.9 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 1.4 steals per game over 42 games. She finished with 626 total rookie points, eighth all-time among first-year players, while the Storm finished the season 8-36.
The players
Flau'jae Johnson
A rookie guard for the Seattle Storm who was named to the WNBA All-Rookie team and set several Storm rookie records.
EBONY
A long-running Black lifestyle and culture magazine that has recognized influential figures across entertainment, business, and sports for decades.
Nneka Ogwumike
A longtime WNBA forward named to EBONY's Leaders in Sport list, who announced her retirement from active play after the 2026 season with the Los Angeles Sparks.
Tisha Campbell
An actress who hosted the 2026 EBONY Power 100 Gala.
Kia J Brooks
A presenter who handed Johnson her award at the 2026 EBONY Power 100 Gala.
The details
EBONY held the gala on Monday at the Hollywood Palladium under the theme 'The Stories We Shape,' with Tisha Campbell hosting. Kia J Brooks presented Johnson's award, and Johnson was joined onstage by her younger brother, Adin. In an on-stage interview, Johnson spoke about her nerves and said she says a prayer and hits the table before games to build confidence.
Timeline
The 2026 WNBA regular season concluded with Johnson's rookie season for the Storm.
EBONY held its 2026 Power 100 Gala on Monday in Los Angeles.
Johnson is set to join Vinyl BC for Unrivaled season three.
Season Trajectory
Johnson became the only player in WNBA history to reach at least 600 points, 200 rebounds, 100 assists, 50 steals, and 28 blocks in a rookie season, a benchmark that places her in a category of her own. Her performance came during a Storm season that finished 8-36, shaping how the team's rebuilding phase is viewed around the league.
Johnson's rookie production, including 221 made field goals and 60 three-pointers, gives fantasy and roster observers a concrete baseline for her development heading into next season. Her move to Vinyl BC for Unrivaled season three also changes which players fans can follow across both leagues.
The takeaway
Johnson's rookie season shows how quickly a first-year player can build a multi-sport profile, with awards recognition and a second league opportunity arriving in the same stretch. Tracking her progress in both the WNBA and Unrivaled offers a useful view of how young players develop across leagues.
What happens next
Johnson is set to join Vinyl BC for Unrivaled season three, though the stub does not provide a specific start date for that season.
Further reading
For more on the league's rising talent, explore our Basketball coverage.
