NIL

The AAU Shift: Why Youth Hoops Is Now a Brand Game – and What That Means for Kids

JayWill Coleman
AAU basketball used to be about matchups. Now it’s about marketing. From the sneakers to the social media clips, the game’s gone global and digital. Every weekend, kids play for exposure as much as competition. The right camera angle can get you more attention than the right crossover. That’s not hate… that’s reality. The upside? Opportunity. Players can build followings, land NIL deals early, and turn their grind into something
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The NIL Hustle: How College Hoopers Are Learning the Business Before the League

Tyrell Reed
College basketball looks different now, and that’s not a bad thing. NIL changed the game for good, giving athletes power they’ve always earned but never owned. From South Carolina to Duke to Kentucky, players are learning business moves before they ever step foot in the league. South Carolina’s stars run clothing lines and training camps. Duke guards sign creative agency deals. Kentucky’s freshmen have brand partnerships with local businesses. It’s
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The NIL Game: How High School Hoopers Are Learning to Brand Themselves Early

Tyrell Reed
The NIL wave isn’t just changing college basketball - it’s reshaping high school gyms across America. Teen athletes are becoming entrepreneurs before they can vote. From sponsored workouts to personal merch lines, they’re learning the language of business while still perfecting their crossovers. The new landscape has money, opportunity, and pressure baked in. A talented sophomore might have brand deals before his driver’s license. Parents are hiring PR teams. Trainers
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The business of hoops: NIL deals shifting power balance in women’s college ball

Tyrell Reed
The power map in women’s college basketball is changing, and it is not just about coaching or X’s and O’s anymore. NIL deals have become the new recruiting currency, and they are pushing programs to rethink how they sell themselves to the next wave of talent. For decades, the pitch was minutes, player development, and championships. Now, it is that plus brand partnerships, social media strategy, and personal business growth.
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The Business of Basketball: How NIL Changed Recruiting Forever

Tyrell Reed
Recruiting used to be about relationships and scholarships. Now? It’s about who can structure the strongest NIL package. High school seniors are picking programs with endorsement opportunities in mind. That shift has permanently changed college basketball. Money in the game isn’t new, but NIL brought it into the open. Some say it’s ruining recruiting, but the truth is it’s just more transparent. Athletes finally have leverage. Programs that adapt and
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