The NIL era has transformed college sports, for better or worse, and there are multiple college basketball players filling their buckets with sponsorships and agreements before the 2024-25 season tips off November 4.
Coaches are openly discussing how financial incentives and potential endorsement deal opportunities play a major role in recruiting in a way never seen before for student-athletes.
In men’s and women’s college basketball, the top earners collectively rake in an estimated $16.43 million.
Here are the top earners on the men’s side who have already won before a game is played:
1) Cooper Flagg, Duke ($2.6 million)
The No. 1 recruit in the nation and projected top pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, Duke’s star freshman is worth almost $3 million before stepping on the court for a regular-season game.
He made big waves signing with renowned sports agency CAA in April and picking New Balance over Nike for his shoe deal in August.
2) R.J. Davis, North Carolina ($2.3 million)
The senior guard at UNC earns millions in numerous endorsement deals, picking up right where Armando Bacot left off in Chapel Hill. Since last November, he’s worked with bigger names including Reebok, Marriott Hotels, Hanes and Keurig.
3) Caleb Love, Arizona ($2.1 million)
The former North Carolina guard takes third in NIL earnings. In addition to endorsement deals with brands such as Outback Steakhouse, he partnered with the Arizona Assist Club, the NIL collective for the Wildcats.
T-4) Mark Sears, Alabama ($2 million)
Alabama’s point guard was a breakout star of March Madness earlier this year. Sears has earned most of his reported NIL earnings through the Crimson Tide’s NIL collective Yea Alabama and custom apparel site Athlete’s Threads.
T-4) Hunter Dickinson, Kansas ($2 million)
Also bringing in $2 million is the senior center who became a household name at Michigan before transferring for, well, more green.
The Jayhawks marquee player has 12 known endorsement deals dating back to October 2021.