My dad played in Michael Jordan’s Bulls debut and I paved the way for Flau’jae Johnson as a trailblazing college star

March Madness is in full swing for both the men and women. There are storylines galore, as upsets happen, stars emerge, and the blue bloods battle for college basketball supremacy. Every year, 68 teams from both the men’s and women’s brackets battle for titlesGetty The two NCAA tournaments are filled with Hollywood scripts that write themselves. And one storyline in particular, rooted in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, has a few interesting dots connected through the fabric of the sport, all the way to arguably the game’s greatest player, Michael Jordan. Flau’jae Johnson is LSU’s explosive third-year guard who is trying to lead the Tigers to a second national championship in three years. In 2023, Johnson and Angel Reese took down Caitlin Clark and the Iowa Hawkeyes in the title game to capture the program’s first national championship in school history. Reese has since gone on to become a star in the WNBA while Johnson has not only found success off the court, but has also blossomed off of it, as a rapper. Johnson is signed with Jay-Z’s label, Roc Nation, and has already put out three albums. However, she isn’t the first March Madness hero to be moonlighting as a rapper away from the court. That honor belongs to Renaldo Woolridge. The 34-year-old who played for Tennessee from 2008-2012, before playing one year at USC. When Woolridge wasn’t helping the Volunteers make a run in the tournament, he could be found in the recording studio. Johnson is looking to win the national championship for the second time in her storied career Woolridge has found success as a musician, after his playing days were over Woolridge starred for Tennessee where he helped the Volunteers make noise in the NCAA tournament While in Knoxville, Woolridge founded his own independent record label called Swiperboy Entertainment. He goes by the name Swiperboy. Woolridge has recorded and made songs that both Tennessee and USC have used as anthems for their football and basketball seasons. He was quite the multitasker. So where does the connection to His Airness come into play? Woolridge’s father, Orlando Woolridge, was Jordan’s teammate when he made his debut for the Chicago Bulls on October 26, 1984. March Madness Top Stories Ranking the greatest players in NCAA men’s March Madness history – from Michael Jordan to Magic Johnson ‘This sister is special’ – Stephen A. Smith identifies rising star who can challenge Caitlin Clark’s WNBA dominance NCAA March Madness is bigger and better than the College Football Playoff – the springtime phenomenon is bigger than ever Biggest March Madness upsets in history of NCAA Tournament – top seeds humiliated as small schools enjoy their moment Jordan’s first game as a pro. The Bulls defeated the Washington Bullets 109-93. Jordan finished with 16 points, 7 assists and 6 rebounds, but shot just 5-16 from the field. Woolridge, in his fourth season, outshined the rookie, finishing with 28 points, 9 rebounds and 3 assists, going an efficient 13-19 from the field. Over 40 years later, it is Woolridge’s son who has had an impact on one of the biggest stars of March Madness. There is no Flau’jae Johnson without Renaldo Woolridge. He helped pave the way and show everyone that athletes are more than just what they can do on the court. Although the people of Baton Rouge probably wouldn’t mind if Johnson took the Tigers back to the promise land one last time. And then stream her music after in celebration. How to watch March Madness in the UK *If you click a link in this box we will earn affiliate revenue March Madness is one of the most exciting times of the year for basketball fans, with a total of 68 teams battling it out to become the Division 1 college champions. This year UConn have the chance to become only the second team ever to complete a March Madness three-peat, having emerged victorious for the last two years. talkSPORT will have the latest news on the tournament, but for UK basketball fans the way to watch is through Sky Sports. The broadcaster will be showing EVERY March Madness game through their Sky Sports + streaming service. Click here to sign up to a Sky Sports subscription, or read our article on the best Sky Sports deals available now.

Mar 24, 2025 - 20:22
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My dad played in Michael Jordan’s Bulls debut and I paved the way for Flau’jae Johnson as a trailblazing college star

March Madness is in full swing for both the men and women.

There are storylines galore, as upsets happen, stars emerge, and the blue bloods battle for college basketball supremacy.

HOUSTON, TEXAS - APRIL 03: The Connecticut Huskies celebrate with the trophy after defeating the San Diego State Aztecs to win the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament National Championship at NRG Stadium on April 03, 2023 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Brett Wilhelm/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)
Every year, 68 teams from both the men’s and women’s brackets battle for titles
Getty

The two NCAA tournaments are filled with Hollywood scripts that write themselves.

And one storyline in particular, rooted in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, has a few interesting dots connected through the fabric of the sport, all the way to arguably the game’s greatest player, Michael Jordan.

Flau’jae Johnson is LSU’s explosive third-year guard who is trying to lead the Tigers to a second national championship in three years.

In 2023, Johnson and Angel Reese took down Caitlin Clark and the Iowa Hawkeyes in the title game to capture the program’s first national championship in school history.

Reese has since gone on to become a star in the WNBA while Johnson has not only found success off the court, but has also blossomed off of it, as a rapper.

Johnson is signed with Jay-Z’s label, Roc Nation, and has already put out three albums.

However, she isn’t the first March Madness hero to be moonlighting as a rapper away from the court.

That honor belongs to Renaldo Woolridge.

The 34-year-old who played for Tennessee from 2008-2012, before playing one year at USC.

When Woolridge wasn’t helping the Volunteers make a run in the tournament, he could be found in the recording studio.

Johnson is looking to win the national championship for the second time in her storied career
LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 20:  Renaldo Woolridge attends Karma International 9th Annual Masquerade Ball on May 20, 2017 in Los Angeles, California.  (Photo by Michael Bezjian/WireImage)
Woolridge has found success as a musician, after his playing days were over
MEMPHIS, TN - JANUARY 4: Chris Crawford #3 of the Memphis Tigers jumps for a rebound against Renaldo Woolridge #3 of the Tennessee Vols on January 4, 2012 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. Memphis beat Tennessee 69-51. (Photo by Joe Murphy/Getty Images)
Woolridge starred for Tennessee where he helped the Volunteers make noise in the NCAA tournament

While in Knoxville, Woolridge founded his own independent record label called Swiperboy Entertainment.

He goes by the name Swiperboy.

Woolridge has recorded and made songs that both Tennessee and USC have used as anthems for their football and basketball seasons.

He was quite the multitasker.

So where does the connection to His Airness come into play?

Woolridge’s father, Orlando Woolridge, was Jordan’s teammate when he made his debut for the Chicago Bulls on October 26, 1984.

March Madness Top Stories

Ranking the greatest players in NCAA men’s March Madness history – from Michael Jordan to Magic Johnson

‘This sister is special’ – Stephen A. Smith identifies rising star who can challenge Caitlin Clark’s WNBA dominance

NCAA March Madness is bigger and better than the College Football Playoff – the springtime phenomenon is bigger than ever

Biggest March Madness upsets in history of NCAA Tournament – top seeds humiliated as small schools enjoy their moment

Jordan’s first game as a pro.

The Bulls defeated the Washington Bullets 109-93.

Jordan finished with 16 points, 7 assists and 6 rebounds, but shot just 5-16 from the field.

Woolridge, in his fourth season, outshined the rookie, finishing with 28 points, 9 rebounds and 3 assists, going an efficient 13-19 from the field.

Over 40 years later, it is Woolridge’s son who has had an impact on one of the biggest stars of March Madness.

There is no Flau’jae Johnson without Renaldo Woolridge.

He helped pave the way and show everyone that athletes are more than just what they can do on the court.

Although the people of Baton Rouge probably wouldn’t mind if Johnson took the Tigers back to the promise land one last time.

And then stream her music after in celebration.

How to watch March Madness in the UK

*If you click a link in this box we will earn affiliate revenue

March Madness is one of the most exciting times of the year for basketball fans, with a total of 68 teams battling it out to become the Division 1 college champions.

This year UConn have the chance to become only the second team ever to complete a March Madness three-peat, having emerged victorious for the last two years.

talkSPORT will have the latest news on the tournament, but for UK basketball fans the way to watch is through Sky Sports. The broadcaster will be showing EVERY March Madness game through their Sky Sports + streaming service.

Click here to sign up to a Sky Sports subscription, or read our article on the best Sky Sports deals available now.