{"id":904170,"date":"2026-09-21T14:16:14","date_gmt":"2026-09-21T14:16:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/904170\/"},"modified":"2026-09-21T14:16:14","modified_gmt":"2026-09-21T14:16:14","slug":"flaujae-johnson-hopes-storm-duo-can-ascend-to-bold-aja-wilson-jackie-young-model","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/904170\/","title":{"rendered":"Flau\u2019jae Johnson Hopes Storm Duo Can \u2018Ascend To\u2019 Bold A\u2019ja Wilson-Jackie Young Model"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Seattle Storm lost their 35th game of the season when the Las Vegas Aces defeated them 98-77. There was a clear silver lining, though. Flau\u2019jae Johnson recorded 29 points alongside 6 rebounds, 6 assists, 4 steals, and 1 block on A\u2019ja Wilson, and Dominique Malonga finished the game with 25 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Seeing two young players put up those numbers while going head-to-head with A\u2019ja Wilson and Jackie Young, who are one of the deadliest duos in the W, is not only impressive but also a great sign for the Storm\u2019s future. The best-case scenario for the Storm would be if Malonga and Johnson can develop into a Wilson-and-Young-like two-way duo in Seattle.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The similarities are certainly there. Malonga projects to be one of the best, most versatile bigs in the W sooner rather than later. While she\u2019s far away from rivaling Wilson\u2019s greatness, she already made the jump into All-Star territory in just her second season and the sky is the limit <\/a>for the 20-year-old. Johnson, meanwhile, is an athletic two-way wing not unlike Young. When the two teams played right after the World Cup break, Johnson even talked about stealing some of Young\u2019s moves.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m no Jackie Young right now, but in a few years I feel like I could be one of the best players in the league alongside Dom,\u201d Johnson said when asked about the comparison to Wilson and Young in the postgame press conference, per a video<\/a> by The Ballers Magazine. \u201cNobody can guard her. So, I think absolutely that\u2019s what we\u2019re trying to ascend to.\u201d<\/p>\n

Seattle is building something special\"Dominique<\/p>\n

Jul 9, 2026; College Park, Georgia, USA; Seattle Storm center Dominique Malonga (14) is defended by Atlanta Dream forward Angel Reese (5) in the fourth quarter at Gateway Center Arena at College Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n

Between Malonga, Johnson, and Awa Fam, Seattle has three young stars who are all 22 or younger. That\u2019s a great foundation to build around<\/a> after losing Skylar Diggins, Nneka Ogwumike, and Gabby Williams in free agency. Whether Ezi Magbegor will factor into the team\u2019s long-term plans remains to be seen. She missed most of the season with injuries but could be an interesting trade candidate ahead of next season.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Despite all of the losses, the Storm\u2019s young players know that their future is bright. Fam said after a loss to the Golden State Valkyries on Saturday that they all had a lot to be proud of, even if they\u2019re tired of losing.\u00a0<\/p>\n

After the loss to the Aces, Johnson said, \u201cI think we\u2019re gonna evolve into something great.\u201d<\/p>\n

The potential is certainly there, especially with another lottery pick coming in ahead of the 2027 season. Seattle is slowly but surely building and developing one of the WNBA\u2019s most fascinating young cores, with two 20-year-olds who were dubbed future MVP candidates in their respective draft processes.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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