Nike Basketball creates new partnerships with 5 student-athletes. | Image courtesy of Nike
Nike Basketball announces that five basketball players will join its “family.”
The new partners include Iowa point guard Caitlin Clark, Stanford guard Haley Jones, and high school players Bronny James, DJ Wagner and JuJu Watkins.
In a news release from Nike, the athletic apparel maker expresses, “At Nike, basketball is more than just a game. It’s a culture and an opportunity to break barriers, bring people together, build community, and shape the future — helping people, including kids, achieve their potential.” The new partnerships are intended to “serve the future of athletes and sport” through collaboration with inspiring young athletes who are leading now, both on the court and in their communities.
A closer look at the athletes:
Caitlin Clark, a junior point guard at the University of Iowa, is a consensus first-team All-American, Big Ten Player of the Year, and Naismith Trophy finalist.
- Caitlin has earned Wooden Award All-America, first-team AP All-America, USBWA All-America, WBCA All-America, and All-Region accolades. She was named the Nancy Liberman point guard of the year and holds Big Ten Academic honors. She’s the first student-athlete to win the Dawn Staley Guard of the Year Award two years in a row.
- She is the only Division 1 women’s basketball player to lead the country in both assists per game and points per game in a single season.
- Caitlin is the first player in Division 1 history, women’s or men’s, to have back-to-back 30-point triple doubles.
- Caitlin wants to inspire young athletes to dream big on the court and in their communities. She will continue to elevate the future of women’s sports as part of her partnership with Nike.
Bronny James, a senior point guard from Los Angeles and the eldest son of LeBron James, is a standout player who’s charting his own path forward.
- As a high school freshman, Bronny was the team’s only player who appeared in all 34 games of the season and won MVP in a victory against his dad’s alma mater, St. Vincent–St. Mary High School.
- Through his partnership with Nike, Bronny wants to continue supporting the LeBron James Family Foundation and positively impacting communities that matter most to him.
Haley Jones, a senior guard at Stanford University, was a five-star, top recruit out of high school and has continued to shine throughout her collegiate career.
- Last year, Haley was named the Pac-12 Player of the Year, WBCA All-America and a Naismith Trophy finalist. She’s also a two-time USBWA All-America and AP All-America recipient.
- In her sophomore year, Haley helped lead the Cardinal to an NCAA Championship win, earning the NCAA Tournament Final Four Most Outstanding Player award.
- The All-American forward is a trailblazer at Stanford on and off the court and will make an impact in her community through youth engagement in underserved communities.
DJ Wagner, a point guard from Camden, N.J., and leading player in the class of 2023.
- As the son of former NBA player Dajuan Wagner and grandson of Milt Wagner, DJ’s basketball roots run in the family.
- DJ is a gifted scorer with athleticism and hopes to become the first third-generation player in NBA history.
- His leadership skills extend beyond the court. DJ has established an annual community giveback program, providing book bags filled with school supplies to thousands of kids in Camden, N.J.
JuJu Watkins, a senior guard from Watts in Los Angeles, is a leading player in the class of 2023 and has twice been named the Los Angeles Times Player of the Year.
- JuJu is a two-time USA Basketball U17 Gold Medalist and named two-time Championship MVP.
- This year, she’s also been named California Gatorade Player of the Year and MaxPreps National Player of the Year.
- Standing at 6-feet-tall, she dominates in high school scoring and rebounding, and is passionate about business and fashion off the court.
- JuJu volunteers with Watts Labor Community Action Committee, youth basketball camps and youth programs, and she also supports local food banks, toy drives and her sister’s nonprofit.
- As part of her partnership with Nike, JuJu will continue her community efforts to help revitalize basketball spaces across Los Angeles and redefine the future of women’s basketball.
