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Ahead of Archrival Caitlin Clark and $110,000,000 Worth Out-of-Favor NBA Star, Angel Reese Rules High Among the ‘Biggest College Stars’

Published 09/24/2023, 3:32 AM EDT

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USA Today via Reuters

Only a few athletes in the modern era of college sports have gained fame and fortune as Angel Reese. With the introduction of NIL (Name, Image and Likeness), collegiate athletics is undergoing a seismic shift. However, a probable negative impact after a latest billion-dollar lawsuit might affect these stars negatively.

Irrespective of the results, some athletes have emerged at the forefront, basking in newfound fame and glory. Angel Reese has distinguished herself among these luminaries as not just one of the brightest stars but also an inspiration for young girls who look up to her.

Angel Reese stands among the biggest college stars

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Recently, ‘Complex Media’ compiled a list of the most prominent college sports stars of the past two decades. This elite roster includes well-recognized figures like Joe Burrow, Caitlin Clark and Zion Williamson, but one name stands out—Angel Reese. Reese’s remarkable journey, marked by her astounding NIL valuation and engaging presence both on and off the court, has firmly established her as one of the biggest college stars of this era.

While Reese’s popularity continues to soar high, it’s worth noting that some of the incredibly talented NBA stars like Stephen Curry and Kyrie Irving didn’t make the cut. Surprisingly, the list featured John Wall, the $110 million NBA star whose career has taken a downturn in recent years.

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Wall, positioned at number 12 on the list, might not always receive the recognition he deserves for his profound impact on college basketball but as a trailblazer in the era of one-and-done players, Wall brought a unique style of play to the college courts.

Placed at number 10 on the list, Angel Reese took to X and reposted the original tweet with the title reading, THE BIGGEST COLLEGE STARS OF THE LAST 20 YEARS, RANKED.”

Before Angel Reese and LSU dominated college basketball headlines, Caitlin Clark, occupying the 11th spot on the list, was the focal point of attention in both men’s and women’s college basketball. Often hailed as the ‘Steph Curry’ of women’s basketball, Clark became a sensation. Her incredible skills and magnetic presence drew audiences to the stands.

Women’s college basketball is itself currently experiencing peak popularity, often outshining the men’s game in terms of headlines and viewership.

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NIL has reshaped college sports, offering athletes the opportunity to monetize their status and build personal brands while still in college. For Angel Reese, this transformation has meant a meteoric rise to prominence.

Reese’s meteoric rise in college basketball

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Valued at a staggering $1.7 million, Angel Reese stands as one of the most marketable college athletes in the country. This valuation places her in a league of her own, trailing only behind LSU’s Olivia Dunne among women athletes.

via Imago

Both Angel Reese’s outstanding talent and her inclination to grasp opportunities have contributed to her meteoric rise to fame. Reese realizes while being the face of NIL in collegiate athletics that her present earning potential may surpass what awaits her in the WNBA, where financial options are frequently more constrained.

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With that in mind, she is maximizing her status as a college star by taking advantage of endorsement opportunities, and the potential to create her unique personal brand that appeals to both advertisers and her fans.

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Written by:

Almas Saad

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Mohammad Almas Saad is an NBA Writer at EssentiallySports. Almas has over four years of experience writing about the sport he loves. He began right after college and has composed more than 500 stories.
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Edited by:

Aayush Kapoor