In the world of professional sports, few relationships are as unique—or as powerful—as the one between WNBA rookie Flau'jae Johnson and her mother, Kia. Drafted eighth overall by the Seattle Storm in this year's WNBA draft, the 22-year-old phenom isn't just making waves on the court; she's also navigating a dynamic partnership with her mom, who doubles as her manager. And according to Flau'jae, it's a winning formula.

"She's really the visionary for everything," Flau'jae tells PEOPLE, crediting Kia with guiding both her basketball career and her rising rap pursuits. For Kia, 43, the role came naturally—even without a background in talent management. "I've always been this business savvy mom," she says. "I've had to make my way because the normal check just didn't do it. It paid the bills, but all the activities they wanted to be a part of? I needed two more jobs, literally."

From crafting custom gift baskets to cooking home-cooked dinners, Kia has always been a hustler. As a single mom to five kids—including sons Tray, 26, Nixon, 9, Aythan, 2, and 6-year-old Aydin, an aspiring rapper—she's learned to stretch every dollar and every moment. "Nobody's going to speak better for my children than I am," Kia says. "Nobody's going to fight for them like I am. I'm not going to clock out. Agents are going to clock out. Managers are going to clock out. I'm always clocked in because they're my kids."

That unstoppable mindset is something Flau'jae likely inherited. "When Flau'jae was born, she had this serious mug on her face," Kia recalls. "Literally, I'm looking at this baby like, 'Is she going to smile?' She was looking like she's going to take over the world." And take over she has. Flau'jae's father was killed in a shooting before she was born, but with Kia's relentless support, she's turned adversity into ambition. "She always shows up, and I don't even know how she does it," Flau'jae says.

Now, as the mother-daughter duo prepare for Flau'jae's next chapter in the WNBA, they're proving that family ties can be the ultimate game-changer. Whether she's sinking three-pointers or dropping bars, Flau'jae has her biggest fan—and her sharpest manager—right by her side. For fans looking to channel that same drive and determination, it's a reminder that the right support system—and the right gear—can elevate any game.