This year’s OT loss felt like déjà vu for Flau’jae Johnson. Under the bright lights of OT’s Next Up 5s, she found herself on the losing side yet again. Just last year, at the OT Select All-Star Takeover, Paige Bueckers coached her team to victory for the second consecutive year, edging out a narrow 105–102 win. Maybe, just maybe, Flau’jae has been forgetting to tuck peppermints into her socks, her signature good-luck charm.
Last year, JuJu Watkins and Arizona’s Jada Williams were also part of the event, but only as guest mentors, watching from the sidelines. This time, though, JuJu was donning a new hat. She came in as a head coach against Flau’jae, and her team dominated the debut of Next Up 5s. But OT Select isn’t just about what happens on the court, between the lines. It’s just as invested in the culture surrounding the game. “Social is a core aspect of our business,” said OT Select director Sascha Malas. “We’re trying to inspire the next fandom of the sports generation across the board through all our leagues.”
Next Up 5s is a really interesting event within the OT Select series. Here, each quarter is worth 1 point, with the 4th quarter worth 3. And whoever racks up the most points simply wins. Evidently, it’s a lot of fun and productivity, all at once. However, it’s also something else: highly competitive, just like any other sports league.
This spirit was visible in a pre-game exchange between JuJu Watkins and Flau’jae Johnson. When a reporter asked Johnson, “What’s gotta change from last year to this year to come outta here with a win?” JuJu didn’t wait for her to answer. She jumped in with a grin and said, “A lot.” Flau’jae then did not hold back either, hitting her back with a sassy response.
juju already trash talking flau pic.twitter.com/3e2uxaOwQF
— !çøprouge ◟̽◞̽ (@jujubballin_) June 6, 2025
Johnson said, “Excuse me?” and continued, “You know what, I don’t have much to say. I hope JuJu brought her JuJu with her, I’m ready to dance baby.” Well, that sass came crashing down after the loss, only to be followed by another funny exchange post-game when JuJu said, “Hey bro, gg bro”.
Flau’jae couldn’t help but funnily mimic JuJu and said, “I’m JuJu, I win at everything”. Of course, it was all in a playful spirit since Flau’jae and JuJu seem to be knitted close. The event where Flau’jae’s mom penned down a heartfelt message for JuJu alone tells everything.
It was after the USC phenom suffered a major injury, which kept her out of the season. Everyone was devastated, but Kia Brooks was especially affected. “My heart was heavy this morning on my flight back home, weighed down by the news of JuJu’s torn ACL,” she’d said. That’s a mother’s heart speaking out for another child with the same aspirations as her own. But what a comeback it’s been for JuJu.
Finally, it’s safe to say that Sascha Malas’ vision is coming to reality with this format. Launched in 2024, the league has quickly become a premier stage for girls aged 15–18 to thrive in both competition and exposure. Take Jaloni Robinson, for example – last year’s No. 1 recruit in the class of 2026. Already signed with Nike and represented by Klutch Sports, she’s thriving in the NIL era. “I think it’s really just hype, a lot of content, a lot of fun and great competition, they really use their page to pump us up. The girls’ game and things like that. So it’s a lot of fun,” she said, praising the structure.
But does Flau’jae Johnson agree?
Choosing JuJu Watkins over Johnson
Before Flau’jae Johnson’s loss to JuJu Watkins in the Next Up 5s, she had a playful yet pointed exchange with top high school prospect Oliviyah Edwards. It happened after she found out that Edwards would be acting as an assistant coach on JuJu’s team. And Overtime Select’s Instagram perfectly captured the moment. It even racked up over 2,000 likes as fans reacted to Flau’jae’s sarcastic disappointment. “You’re on JuJu’s team? Get out. I don’t wanna do this interview.”
Well, till here, it was all good-natured humor. However, after the game wrapped up, Johnson did not hold back on expressing her disappointment.
While both teams dealt with some questionable calls, one moment in the third quarter really stood out. GG Banks was going at it with Sanaiyah Hall, and under intense pressure, Banks seemed to commit not one, but two violations—a double dribble and a travel. Even the commentators, Nia Symone and KK Arnold, pointed it out instantly. But the refs? Silent. Play went on.
Things didn’t get any better in the fourth. Johnson was clearly frustrated after Trinity Jones drove in for a layup and didn’t get a foul call despite a heavy contest from Kaleena Smith. Once again, her protests didn’t change anything, and the sense of the game slipping away, thanks to more than just gameplay, started to show. Hence, she took to X, writing, “I love my team, can’t play 5v8 (terrible refs) I’m hurt I’m devastated #consideringretirement”.
She did mention “retirement,” but we do not really think that’s going to happen. For her, it is more than just basketball. It is a way to bring in more young women into the sport who might be staying back because of societal barriers. “For them to be able to reap the benefits of how big women’s basketball is becoming, it’s dope,” Johnson told SI. And if you still have your doubts, then just listen to her single titled “What It Takes”.
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