The College NIL deals allowed the young and talented players to develop their profiles with multiple brands and have substantial income. While the average valuation of these NIL Deals might not look flashy, the top earners earn in six figures, depending on the brand they sign with. In 2025, the college’s new batch already has its millionaire athlete as Nike confirms NIL deal with Aaliyah Chavez.
While senior players like JuJu Watkins and Azzi Fudd are among 14 NCAA stars signing the Unrivaled NIL deals, the Texas-born freshman made big news signing with sneaker giants early in her career.
Aaliyah Chavez Signs With Nike
Even though the 5-foot-11 star is yet to become a household name across America, she is Texas’s own superstar who is already setting new records at the high school level. Knowing the potential, Nike signed an NIL Deal with the youngster.
Making an official announcement, Nike shared a video and wrote, “Front of the class. Ahead of the game. Introducing our 2025 NIL Class: Aaliyah Chavez, Tyran Stokes and Brandon McCoy, Jr.”
“The women’s game is on the rise, and Nike and its athletes are a huge reason for that growth. Partnering with Nike to help grow the game even more is really exciting. I want to show the next generation of young girls that if you put your mind to it, you can achieve it,” Chevez responded to the announcement.
Front of the class. Ahead of the game. Introducing our 2025 NIL Class: Aaliyah Chavez, Tyran Stokes and Brandon McCoy, Jr. pic.twitter.com/4O0xWkIEG9
— Nike Basketball (@nikebasketball) October 3, 2025
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Declared for the Oklahoma side, Chavez is a five-star recruit with an outstanding season, winning the %A State championship for Monterey High School. The McDonald’s All-American averaged 34.9 points and 9.1 rebounds to go along with 4.3 assists per game during her senior year, netting baskets from the court.
While Nike is targeting a top player from the batch, it already has a player of similar attributes under its’ roof – Caitlin Clark. Earlier in August, Clark teased a new Nike logo via video ahead of her signature shoe launch.
Aaliyah Chavez Draws Comparisons With Caitlin Clark
At just 18, the star is already catching up early and making waves amongst the fans with her gameplay. Many compare her with the Indiana Fever star and NCAA’s all-time leading scorer, Caitlin Clark, for her range shooting and explosive scoring.
The 2006-born star broke multiple high school records, including most points in a game (57) and most made three-pointers (639). Although her records are astonishing for a young age, just like Clark, what puts her at CC’s level is her approach to playing the game – treating every opponent equally.
“Everyone’s the same to me now. You could be the No. 1-ranked player, you could be 100, I’ll still play you the same. So, like, that has no pressure,” Chavez said in an interview.
With the Nike deal under her belt, Clark-estique gameplay makes her one of the top prospects in college and probably will develop into a future number one pick for the WNBA, just like the former Iowa star.