LSU’s Flau’jae Johnson Tops List of WBB Stars Making a Splash in NIL
Last Updated on December 2, 2025
Women’s college basketball players have been some of the most successful athletes in the name, image, and likeness space, leveraging their unique platforms, personalities, and influence to build strong personal brands. Female hoopers are proving that their influence extends far beyond the court.
Last Season’s Successes
Last season, standout athletes like LSU’s Angel Reese and Iowa’s Caitlin Clark became household names during the NCAA Tournament. Reese, known as the “Bayou Barbie,” partnered with brands like Reebok and Coach, leveraging her charisma and authentic connection with fans. Meanwhile, Clark’s electric on-court performances earned her deals with Gatorade and Nike, highlighting her as a top ambassador for women’s sports.
Beyond the big names, women’s college basketball as a whole is thriving in the NIL space. Players use their platforms to connect with fans through social media, collaborating with local businesses, national brands, and nonprofit organizations. The 2024 NCAA women’s basketball championship game between Iowa and South Carolina had nearly 19 million average viewers, becoming the most-watched women’s college basketball game ever.
The sport’s growing popularity, driven by record-breaking viewership and increased media coverage, is fueling opportunities for athletes to capitalize on their unique stories. The success of women’s basketball during the 2023-24 season has led to unprecedented media coverage and revenue generation, driven by standout performances and the influence of NIL stars.
The unique combination of Reese, Clark, and UConn’s Paige Bueckers captivated audiences with thrilling games, boosting viewership numbers and securing primetime slots on major networks. Their on-court dominance, paired with strategic NIL deals, attracted significant brand sponsorships, further elevating the visibility of the sport and proving itself to be a growing force in college athletics.
What sets women’s college basketball apart in the NIL landscape is the authenticity of its athletes when engaging with their audiences. Fans are drawn to their genuine passion for the game, advocacy for social causes, and willingness to share their journeys.
UScellular’s New Campaign to Amplify the Voices of Female Athletes
Female athletes across all sports are making a powerful impact in the NIL space, proving their value as highly marketable influencers. Some of the most intriguing NIL deals, however, are the ones that highlight a greater cause.
UScellular has expanded its “Life in US Mode” content series to highlight several female college athletes who promote healthy digital habits. The new campaign highlights a highly-regarded roster of female college athletes who share their life stories and how they have learned to connect with fans. Iowa State’s Audi Crooks and Iowa’s Hannah Stuelke are two of the basketball players featured in the campaign.
“Through the highs and lows of being a student-athlete, I can lean on the connections I’ve made with my teammates to help support me on and off the court,” said Devyn Robinson, a volleyball player for Wisconsin. “I’m really excited to be working with UScellular to help share my story to inspire young female athletes to do the same: to be confident, to cut out the noise, and to achieve their dreams, no matter what.”
ON3’s 2024-25 Women’s College Basketball NIL Rankings
This season, the top 10 athletes on ON3’s College Women’s Basketball NIL Rankings have showcased their dominance on both the court and the NIL space with impressive NIL valuations.
- Flau’jae Johnson (LSU) – $1.5 million
- Paige Bueckers (UConn) – $1.4 million
- Haley Cavinder (Miami) – $889,000
- Hanna Cavinder (Miami) – $863,000
- Hailey Van Lith (TCU) – $779,000
- JuJu Watkins (USC) – $576,000
- Jada Williams (Arizona) – $421,000
- Deja Kelly (Oregon) – $326,000
- Sedona Prince (TCU) – $321,000
- Shelomi Sanders (Alabama A&M) – $288,000
The success of these female college athletes in NIL stems from their elite talent and authenticity on social media. With millions of followers on social media, these basketball stars are making a name for themselves by building substantial brand value. Through their ability to create engaging content that resonates with fans, advocate for important causes, and share compelling personal stories to help inspire others, female athletes are leading the way in NIL.
