Iowa’s Caitlin Clark Gifts Entire Hawkeyes’ Team Nike’s Through NIL Deal

Earlier this week Iowa guard Kylie Feuerbach and her teammate were preparing to surprise backcourt mate Caitlin Clark for her 22 birthday. Instead, Clark planned her surprise for the team as she gifted her entire team with Nike’s through her NIL [Name, Image, and Likeness] deal she has the sneakers giant.

Feuerbach documented the entire experience on TikTok, unveiling the Kyler Murray “Be 1 of One” Nike dunks contained within the box.

“For Caitlin’s birthday, she got us a gift,” Feuerbach said.

Best early birthday party ever!”

 

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Driven by a desire to inspire the next generation of basketball leaders, Nike, in October 2022, inked deals with five exceptional talents: Clark, Bronny James, Haley Jones, DJ Wagner, and Juju Watkins. This strategic move solidified Nike’s foothold in the college basketball landscape while celebrating the impact young athletes can have both in the game and in their communities.

Not just a basketball phenom, Caitlin Clark is a marketing powerhouse. In addition to her Nike deal, she’s teamed up with State Farm and, in a historic move, just signed a multi-year partnership with Gatorade. This groundbreaking deal, placing her alongside UConn’s Paige Bueckers as one of only two college ballers with Gatorade, proves her influence extends far beyond the hardwood.

In a recent press conference interview, Clark talks about her awareness approach to her position as a superstar.

“I think something that I try to live by is that all the love you feel, the praise — that’s the level you’re going to feel all the hate, too,” Clark said following Iowa’s victory over Indiana on Jan. 13. “So you’ve got to stay right in the middle.”

Caitlin Clark is lighting up the court this season, showcasing an extraordinary performance as she leads her team toward another potential national championship. Her scoring ability is unmatched, averaging an impressive 31.0 points per game and securing the top spot on the national leaderboard. Beyond scoring, she’s a playmaking maestro, dishing out 7.7 assists per game and displaying a versatile game with 7.2 rebounds per game.

In a recent dominating victory over Wisconsin on Tuesday night, Clark demonstrated her dominance with a remarkable stat line of 32 points, seven rebounds, five assists, and four steals. Her all-around brilliance is a key factor in her team’s commanding position, as they aim to repeat as national champions. With Clark leading the way, the team appears unstoppable on their quest for a national championship.

Caitlin Clark is the projected number one pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft to the Indiana Fever, according to ESPN’s Michael Voepe, if she elects to declare after the season.