The introduction of the NIL deal for college athletes has gone a long way in ensuring financial stability for players and their families before they become pros. However, the recent announcement that high school athletes would also get NIL deals could end up taking things a “little out of hand”, feels Chicago Sky star Angel Reese.
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Reese had taken advantage of the NIL ecosystem in college to lay down the groundwork for sponsorships with Reebok and Reese’s Pieces. While she admitted that students getting life-changing money is great for them and their families, she added that it could lead them to prioritize money over a good education or a program that suits them.
“High school? That’s crazy. I didn’t even know. I feel like so much can change from high school to college. That’s crazy. I mean that’s great they’re making money in high school, but I feel like a lot of NIL, it’s getting a little out of hand,” said Reese on What an Experience podcast.
“People just going to a school cos the money like, obviously, that’s a good thing for their family and financial situation, but like all money ain’t good money,” she added.
Reese insisted that she would not stay four years at a place just for the money. To substantiate her point, she admitted that she could have “gone back to LSU, instead of going into the WNBA”, as there was more money on offer.
Clearly, she chose the ‘right basketball path’ for herself rather than chasing a check. Besides, the sponsorship deals followed her into the pros, in addition to her $73,439 rookie WNBA salary.
The conversation swerved in the direction of the NIL deals when the podcast host told Reese that Adidas and Nike had handed high school basketball players lucrative contracts. Utah Prep’s AJ Dybantsa has reportedly signed a $4 million deal with Nike. Meanwhile, Adidas has signed on Ontario Christian High School’s (California) Kaleena Smith as its first high school NIL athlete.
The deals offer promise for the pro-league hopefuls. But Reese thinks it may be a bit too early for them.
High schoolers making history
Dybansta is widely considered to be the #1 pick whenever he declares for the draft. The Utah Prep student is understandably elated to represent a company, following the footsteps of some of his idols.
“I mean, it was big. They brought it to my attention, me and my dad, and I was like, ‘Yo it’s Nike.’ Like opportunity like this, you’re signed, like my favorite players are signed to Nike, and I was like, I got to sign the Nike,” said the 6’9 forward on Podcast P.
The deal’s monetary value sees him surpass the money that most top college athletes make. It sure is a testament to his skill. The NIL deal is bound to have a huge impact on the talented athlete’s life.
Kaleena, on the other hand, is the highest-rated recruit for the class of 2027. At just 16 years of age, she already has more than 20 college offers. She’s the first signing of Candace Parker’s Adidas tenure.
“I’m blessed to be part of something Candace is creating, and to get to do that with a brand like Adidas who is taking a different approach to play a role to help grow the game for players like me,” Smith said.
NIL deals are slowly becoming more commonplace, and the money that student athletes stand to make will slowly increase with time. While their pros and cons can be debated, the fact is that financial security is paramount for any budding athlete, and the NIL deals offer exactly that.
