Top NIL Deals in Women’s College Basketball 2025: Player Rankings

In the rapidly changing world of college sports, the Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) era has opened up new doors for athletes. Women’s college basketball now stands out as one of the most lucrative arenas for college athletes.

Top players are landing multi-million-dollar deals through endorsements, collectives, and personal branding. Here’s a look at the top five women’s basketball players ranked by their NIL value for the 2025–26 season, where athletic talent meets marketability in some fascinating ways.

Flau’jae Johnson: Leading the NIL Charge

Flau’jae Johnson sits at the top of women’s college basketball NIL valuations. She’s a dynamic guard for LSU and also a signed rapper with Roc Nation.

Johnson has blended her athletic skills and cultural influence, building a portfolio with more than 20 brand partnerships. Some of the big names she’s teamed up with include Powerade, JBL, Raising Cane’s, Papa John’s, Doritos, Uninterrupted, Amazon, TurboTax, Experian, JanSport, Tinder, Bazooka Gum, Apple Cash, and Mondelez.

Her endorsement deals for the 2025–26 season are worth about $2 million. That makes her the top earner in women’s college basketball, and honestly, it’s not surprising given her reach.

Aaliyah Chavez: The Rising Star

Aaliyah Chavez burst onto the college basketball scene as the No. 1 recruit in the 2025 class. She landed at Oklahoma with a seven-figure collective package and a much-anticipated endorsement deal with Jordan Brand.

Even before her first game, Chavez’s marketability was clear. Fans could already buy a custom Oklahoma Jordan jersey with her name on it.

Her combined earnings from the collective deal and national sponsorships are projected at roughly $1.5 million for the season. At just 18, she’s already among the wealthiest players in the sport.

Endorsement Highlights

Chavez’s early success really shows her off-court potential. Her partnership with Jordan Brand and the big collective deal highlight just how much top recruits can earn in the NIL era.

Juju Watkins: Marketability Amidst Adversity

Juju Watkins made waves as a freshman at USC, averaging 27 points per game and snagging All-American honors. Then she suffered an ACL injury that sidelined her, but her marketability didn’t take a hit.

Watkins has endorsements from Nike, Gatorade, Fanatics, Spotify, AT&T, United Airlines, Mondelez, and State Farm. Her sponsorship deals are valued at about $1.2 million for the 2025–26 season, which is still pretty remarkable given her situation.

Resilience and Market Value

Watkins keeps her high NIL valuation despite the injury. Major companies continue to back her, so she stays front and center in college basketball conversations.

Jada Williams: Influencer Extraordinaire

Jada Williams has found her own lane in the NIL world thanks to her huge social media following. After transferring from Arizona to Iowa State, she kept leveraging her online presence for deals with Overtime, Nerf, LaceClips, Lemon Perfect, Spalding, Bumble, and Gymshark.

Her influencer approach brings in projected earnings of about $750,000 for the 2025–26 season. Sure, her on-court stats might not match some of her peers, but her brand and personality keep her in high demand.

Social Media Influence

Williams proves how powerful social media can be in the NIL era. Her knack for connecting with fans and brands online has become a major asset, showing that influence isn’t just about what happens during the game.

Shelomi Sanders: Leveraging Family Legacy

Shelomi Sanders, daughter of football legend Deion Sanders, uses her family name and personal profile to land big NIL deals. She plays for Alabama A&M and has endorsements with Dexcom U, EA Sports, Meta/Instagram, and KFC.

Even though she’s at a smaller program, her NIL earnings are projected to hit around $500,000 for the season. That just goes to show how much personal brand recognition can matter in the NIL market—sometimes as much as on-court performance.

Family Influence and Marketability

Shelomi Sanders’ success kind of proves how much family legacy and personal branding can boost NIL value. She’s managed to land high-profile endorsements even though she plays at a smaller school.

The NIL era has totally changed women’s college basketball. Now, athletes get financial opportunities they never had before.