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As college athletes begin profiting earlier in their careers, they’re also making smarter decisions sooner. Many college athletes have been able to directly profit from their name, image, and likeness (NIL) after NCAA members approved an interim policy in 2021. All three NCAA divisions suspended NIL restrictions for incoming and current student-athletes, AFROTECH™ reported; this includes VJ Edgecombe, a 2025 NBA first-round draft pick, who earned $1.4 million in NIL deals thanks to partnerships with Panini America and PSD Underwear. The top college basketball earner is AJ Dybantsa, who has a $4.1 million NIL valuation while representing the Brigham Young University (BYU) Cougars, AFROTECH™ previously reported. College athletes aren’t just pocketing earnings for short-term gain; they’re thinking long-term and making strategic financial moves well before going pro. Quarterbacks LaNorris Sellers (University of South Carolina) and Kevin Jennings (Southern Methodist University) recently...
VJ Edgecombe, a 2025 NBA draft pick, isn’t taking his positioning for granted. Edgecombe was drafted on Wednesday to the Philadelphia 76ers during the first round as a third overall pick, according to CBS Sports. The moment was emotional for Edgecombe as he reflected on his upbringing. He was born and raised in Bimini, a small island in the Bahamas, according to WHYY. He told NBA reporter Taylor Rooks that his family struggled, lived without electricity for seven years, and had to rely on a generator. “See what she had to go through to feed us? It’s crazy… My mind [is] everywhere right now,” he told Rooks. Basketball is now his saving grace. Edgecombe moved to the U.S. in the ninth grade and completed his senior year of high school at Long Island Lutheran in Brookville, NY, per USA Today. In college, he played basketball at Baylor University and made a name for himself, averaging 15.0 points, 5.6 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 2.1 steals per game, Sports Spectrum reported. His talents...
NBA legend Magic Johnson relies on his intuition when it comes to making business deals. The billionaire holds stakes in several teams, including MLB’s Los Angeles Dodgers, MLS’s Los Angeles Football Club, WNBA’s Los Angeles Sparks, NFL’s Washington Commanders, and NWSL’s Washington Spirit, AFROTECH™ previously reported. He most recently expressed interest in owning the New York Knicks, telling ESPN “First Take” host Stephen A. Smith that he’d be “first in line” if current Knicks owner James Dolan ever put the team up for sale, according to Fadeaway World. Last year, Johnson expressed his excitement about joining the Washington Spirit’s investor group. “I’m so excited to join the Washington Spirit’s investor group at such a pivotal time in the club’s history!,” he said in an Instagram caption. “Partnering with a visionary like Michele Kang and her team to advance the growth of the Washington Spirit and the NWSL is an incredible opportunity.” View this post on Instagram A post shared...
Fawn Weaver does not believe selling your company is necessary to show you didn’t fail as an entrepreneur. As AFROTECH™ previously told you, Weaver is the founder and CEO of Uncle Nearest, a whiskey brand honoring the spirit of “Nearest” Green, a formerly enslaved man credited for teaching Jack Daniel how to make whiskey. The company has achieved remarkable success. It has a 458-acre distillery with the world’s longest bar (518 feet) in Shelbyville, TN, and sells its whiskey in more than 30,000 stores, bars, hotels, and restaurants. Additionally, the company surpassed a valuation of $1 billion, but if you think for a second Weaver plans on selling, think again. She has not warmed up to venture capitalists, private equity, or institutional lending. Instead, Weaver has relied on the support of individual investors. By 2023, she raised $225 million through this route, with individual investors not owning more than 2% to 3% of the company each (employees own less than 3%). Weaver...
Even with being selective, AJ Dybantsa is winning big in the name, image, and likeness (NIL) arena. The Brigham Young University (BYU) Cougars basketball player is not only the highest-ranking high school player on the court, he is also the top earner in college basketball — and he hasn’t even officially jumpstarted his college freshman year, notes Athlon Sports. A new graduate of Utah Prep Academy, he will begin representing BYU officially for the 2025-26 college basketball season. Dybantsa has deals that include Red Bull, which is historic. According to Out2Win, it is the first time Red Bull has signed a male basketball athlete to an NIL deal. View this post on Instagram A post shared by AJ Dybantsa (@aj.dybantsa) “I think it was a great partnership because it’ll be beneficial for the both of us with the platform that they have,” Dybantsa said on “The Youngins Sports Podcast.” “I think we fit right in with each other, so it’s going to be good. It’s going to be special.” He later...
Anthony Davis has mixed feelings about NIL deals. What Is NIL? In June 2021, NCAA college athletes were given the opportunity to benefit financially from their name, image, and likeness (NIL) for the first time. This change came after governance bodies across all three NCAA divisions suspended NIL restrictions for current and incoming student-athletes in all sports, according to the NCAA. However, it was clarified that despite the changes to the NIL landscape, “pay-for-play” arrangements and improper inducements would still not be permitted. “This is an important day for college athletes since they all are now able to take advantage of name, image and likeness opportunities,” NCAA President Mark Emmert said at the time, per the NCAA. “With the variety of state laws adopted across the country, we will continue to work with Congress to develop a solution that will provide clarity on a national level. The current environment — both legal and legislative — prevents us from providing a...
JuJu Watkins has secured a groundbreaking NIL deal. The USC Trojans basketball athlete currently boasts a $739,000 name, image, and likeness (NIL) valuation , thanks to deals with Ritz Crackers, Degree, United Airlines, and NYX Cosmetics. “We are beyond excited to welcome JuJu to the NYX Professional Makeup family,” said Yasmin Dastmalchi, general manager of NYX Professional Makeup, in a news release. “JuJu’s spirit, talent, and commitment to excellence make her a perfect pick for our brand. We can’t wait to support her as she uses her voice to further inspire our community and share our core values.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Juju Watkins (@jujubballin) Watkins is already making groundbreaking moves as a collegiate athlete. As AFROTECH ™ previously told you, she extended a multi-year contract with Nike, becoming “one of the richest shoe endorsement deals in women’s basketball.” More recently, she expanded her portfolio by adding Fanatics and Fanatics...
Kiyan Anthony does not see more than half of his NIL earnings for good reason. According to Sports Illustrated, the basketball player, son of former NBA star Carmelo Anthony , is ranked among the top prospects in the 2025 class. He is currently a four-star recruit and the highest-ranked high school player in New York, playing for Long Island Lutheran High School in Glen Head, NY. As he prepared for the collegiate level, he gained interest from the University of Southern California, Auburn University, and Florida State University. Ultimately, he committed to Syracuse University in New York. “Just looking at Syracuse and seeing, like, what could be done over there if I was to go over there,” Kiyan shared in a statement on the school’s website. “They already have top people coming in, who I’m close with. Young coaching staff that I can connect to. Close to home, 45-minute flight. They would have me catching 6-hour flights to California. Just all of that, and then the ACC (Atlantic...
Dawn Staley has made history yet again. The University of South Carolina’s women’s basketball coach continues to leave an indelible mark on the sport. Known for her trailblazing accomplishments, Staley first made headlines in 2021 when she became the highest-paid Black coach in NCAA women’s basketball, as previously reported by AFROTECH™. Her leadership has propelled the Gamecocks to remarkable success, including appearances in six NCAA Final Fours and securing the school’s first national title in 2017, Reuters reports. Since then, Staley has only strengthened her legacy. In 2024, under her guidance, the team celebrated an undefeated 38-0 season, culminating in their third national championship, according to Sports Illustrated. Notably, all three titles have been achieved during her tenure. A Historic New Contract Staley’s transformative impact on the University of South Carolina’s basketball program has earned her another groundbreaking contract. Per a university press release,...
The future is bright for top high school prospect Anicet “AJ” Dybantsa Jr. The No. 1 recruit in the class of 2025, AJ Dybantsa has already caught the attention of NBA great Kevin Durant , who is impressed by his skill set and has no doubt he will one day be drafted into the NBA. “I got to know him two summers ago between his sophomore and junior year in high school. He came to work out with us. I was impressed by his size and fluidity as a player, his ballhandling. He was shooting jump shots well. He’s got the body type to become a pro in this league for 20 years. It is good to be around him. He has a lot of energy, too,” Durant told Andscape. While there appears to be a foreseeable path towards the pros, Dybantsa will first be taking his talents to college. According to The Athletic, he has committed to Brigham Young University (BYU) located in Provo, UT. He also is the school’s first 5-star recruit, notes KUTV 2 News in Salt Lake City. View this post on Instagram A post shared by...
WNBA star Angel Reese has exceeded the expectations of her former agents. During a panel discussion at ComplexCon 2024, Nov. 16-17, in Las Vegas, NV, the Chicago Sky player looked back on the discouraging advice she received from her former agents, who had low expectations for her success with name, image, and likeness (NIL) deals. “I used to be with an agency, and I’m not with the agency anymore,” the 22-year-old explained on the panel, moderated by Speedy Morman , according to Complex. “And initially when I was with the agency, that specific agency told me I was never going to make over $2,000. … And that was when NIL first started.” Reese would prove those agents wrong. She has secured a slew of NIL deals with companies that include: Wingstop McDonald’s Raising Cane’s Amazon Sonic Bose Banter by Piercing Pagoda TurboTax Xfinity JanSport Outback Steakhouse In April 2024, her NIL valuation had reached $1.8 million, notes The Street. Reese is now working with new agents, Jeanine...
Fans of college basketball are likely already familiar with rising star Somtochukwu “Somto” Cyril, who made national headlines while playing in the Overtime Elite program . The Nigerian native currently plays center for the Georgia Bulldogs, and recently appears as a front-and-center subject of the Amazon Prime Video docu-series One Shot: Overtime Elite . Since Cyril has been making waves on the court in recent months, it only makes sense that many fans from across the globe are wondering about his current net worth, especially as he takes on multiple NIL deals ahead of his expected come-up into the NBA. For now, there are no concrete numbers to confirm Somto Cyril’s exact net worth, though we can estimate that it’s likely in the ball park of six figures. Even the experts at College Net Worth don’t have a comprehensive figure; their site states “As of now, Somtochukwu Cyril’s exact net worth is not publicly available.” Regardless, the 19-year-old shooter is well on his way to...
Flau’jae Johnson is putting down roots in more ways than one. On Friday, the Louisiana State University (LSU) basketball guard and rapper shared that she has purchased 20 acres of land, a significant step toward turning her dreams into reality. In a celebratory Instagram post , Johnson said, “GOD IS AMAZING! I Done Got Addicted To The Acres. 20 Years Old With a total of 20 Acres !! Generational Wealth Fr @HomeDepot, what’s up?? Help me make some dreams a reality!” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Big 4️⃣ (@flaujae) For Johnson, her dreams reach far beyond her talents of music and basketball. “This land represents more than just an investment for me—it’s about building something bigger than basketball or music. I want to create opportunities for my community and leave a legacy that shows young women, especially young Black women, that we can do it all. Owning 20 acres at my age is proof that with vision and hard work, we can break boundaries and build the future we...
Anthony Edwards has been making headlines recently for his prolific performance on and off the court . Since joining the NBA in 2020, the young legend has already managed to stack up a list of accolades a mile long and has even landed a front-and-center placement as the subject of a season-long documentary with Netflix’s Starting 5 . The latter has seen Edwards popping up in the news a lot lately, due to his braggadocios nature and tendency to roast Jayson Tatum every chance he gets. Since Edwards has become such a major media figure in recent years, it only makes sense that we take a look at his net worth and various streams of income . According to Celebrity Net Worth , Anthony Edwards is currently packing an impressive nest egg of over $40 million, exemplifying his meteoric rise to super-stardom. So, let’s take a moment to study Edwards’ rise to popularity, college and NBA records, and other various streams of income to see what we can learn about his fast accumulation of...
JuJu Watkins is making major moves on and off the court. On Tuesday, 8, 2024, ESPN reported that the University of Southern California star — who recently entered her second season with the team — signed a multiyear contract extension with Nike , securing “one of the richest shoe endorsement deals in women’s basketball.” Watkins joined the Nike family as a high school senior in October 2022. At just 19, she has consistently exceeded expectations during her time with the Trojans, leading the team to the Elite Eight for the first time since 1994 in her first year, according to CBS Sports. She boasted averages of 27.1 points, 7.3 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 2.3 steals per game, ranking second nationally in scoring, per the outlet. With 920 points, she made history as the all-time leading scorer among freshmen in Division I women’s basketball, surpassing San Diego State University’s Tina Hutchinson who had the previous record of 898 during the 1983-84 season. As Blavity reported, Watkins...