Flau’jae Johnson and her LSU teammates may have fallen short of repeating as national champions this year, but the 20-year-old basketball star and part-time rapper scored a remarkable consolation present this week: a brand new Mercedes AMG G63 valued at around $180,000.

Johnson showed off her new ride on social media, showing herself posing alongside the sport-utility vehicle in a showroom. In one shot she’s kneeling in front of her new ride, while Johnson is seen in another image climbing into the driver’s side door.

It’s no mystery how Johnson has managed to afford such an extravagant SUV: The Savannah native has signed NIL deals with Puma, Powerade and Experian since being named SEC Freshman of the Year en route to a national title in 2022-23.

‘This What Hard Work Look Like,’ she captioned her post. ‘#ThankYouJesus.’

Johnson, Angel Reese and the LSU Tigers were eliminated in the NCAA Tournament by Caitlin Clark and Iowa in the Elite 8 after beating the Hawkeyes in the 2023 title game. Both games rank among the highest-rated NCAA women’s matchups of all time.

LSU guard Flau'jae Johnson, 20, shows off her brand new $180,000 Mercedes AMG

LSU guard Flau’jae Johnson, 20, shows off her brand new $180,000 Mercedes AMG

The SUV is valued at $180,000, which Johnson could afford thanks to her many NIL deals

Reese, who is known for her eyelash extensions, painted fingernails and ferocious play in the paint, formally declared for the WNBA draft last week.

Reese, whose career interests also include modeling and fashion, announced her decision via a photo shoot in Vogue, saying she was inspired by tennis great Serena Williams announcing her retirement in 2022 in a similar manner.

Up until LSU’s season ended, Reese publicly left open the option of returning to the Tigers. But she acknowledged having made up her mind to turn pro before March Madness began.

Reese, who is known for her eyelash extensions, painted fingernails and ferocious play in the paint, formally declared for the WNBA draft on Wednesday. Her announcement comes two days after the Tigers’ season ended with a loss to Caitlin Clark and Iowa in the Elite Eight round of the women’s NCAA Tournament.

Reese, whose career interests also include modeling and fashion, announced her decision via a photo shoot in Vogue, saying she was inspired by tennis great Serena Williams announcing her retirement in 2022 in a similar manner.

Flau’jae Johnson #4 of the LSU Tigers shoots against the UCLA Bruins on March 30

Up until LSU’s season ended, Reese publicly left open the option of returning to the Tigers. But she acknowledged having made up her mind to turn pro before March Madness began.

Reese burst onto the scene during LSU’s championship run last year as an extremely talented basketball player and dynamic personality — accessible and engaging with fans and media off the court, and trash talking in the faces of her opponents on it. Reese grew up playing basketball with her brother and other boys in Baltimore, and she has said that forced her to become physically and mentally tough on the court.

Since winning the title, Reese said there has been increased scrutiny of her, but she maintained that she would continue to be ‘unapologetically me.’

Her LSU teammates, who sometimes referred to her as ‘the queen,’ defended her leadership and what she’s been through — including a time earlier this season when she was suspended by Mulkey for four games right before Thanksgiving — time she used to take a self-described mental health break.

LSU forward Angel Reese (10) moves the ball against Iowa during their Elite 8 game on April 1

LSU forward Angel Reese (10) moves the ball against Iowa during their Elite 8 game on April 1

‘Everybody can have their opinion on Angel Reese, but y’all don’t know her,’ Johnson said after LSU’s Elite 8 defeat.

‘I know the real Angel Reese, and the person I see every day is a strong person, is a caring, loving person. But the crown she wears is heavy. She’s the type of teammate that’s going to make you believe in yourself.’

Reese was one of the top NIL earners in college, with a valuation of $1.8 million, according toOn3.com.

She’s had marketing relationships with Coach, Reebok and Mercedes-Benz. Many of those deals could now become the type of endorsements on which professional athletes typically cash in.

Johnson, meanwhile, ranks 14th on On3.com’s NIL rankings with a valuation of $1.2 million.