LSU's Angel Reese, Flau'jae Johnson star in Amazon 'Dormz' commercial thanks to NIL
Angel Reese and Flau’jae Johnson delivered a national championship to LSU this past spring.
The duo then capitalized on the opportunity by signing with Raising Cane’s and releasing limited edition basketball jerseys together. Now the the two NIL stars are starring in a new commercial for Amazon ahead of the back-to-school shopping push.
Reese has seen her national profile soar following the national title game, adding 3.6 million social media followers and signing NIL deals with brands like PlayStation and Starry. Johnson has had a similar rise, with even more eyeballs focused on her rap career.
Titled “Dormz,” the ad focuses heavily on the duo decking out their dorm rooms for the upcoming academic year at LSU. It’s not the first time the tech giant has dabbled in NIL. Former Auburn quarterback T.J. Finely and Clemson basketball player Brevin Galloway each launched personalized apparel brands with Amazon this past summer. Amazon also enlisted USC athletes to promote merchandise through NIL deals.
This is the first time Amazon has gone all-in working with college athletes, promoting them across multiple platforms. The video series also features actor Noah Schnapp.
“Hey guys, Angel here. Let me show you guys my room dripped out with Amazon for less,” Reese says as she opens her door at the beginning of the two-minute video.
The first-team All-American proceeds to show off her spread, opening up a recent package from Amazon featuring items in multiple shades of pink. The former Maryland transfer, nicknamed the “Bayou Barbie,” opens a desk drawer which is for her “private lash stash.”
“I like a clean room, no trash,” Reese says, shooting a crumpled-up piece of paper towards her wastebasket before Johnson steps into the room and swats it away.
“Get that garbage out of here,” Johnson, a rising sophomore, emphatically says.
The two exchange some banter, with Reese pointing out how Johnson should be working in the studio. Johnson, who is a Puma athlete, quickly responds that Reese should be practicing her 3-pointer. The duo transitions into Johnson’s room, where Reese keeps up pressure.
“Girl I’ve never seen you study before,” the rising junior says.
Johnson responds, saying, “Yeah, study, because I’m always in my room when I study.” The SEC Freshman of the Year then says how she studies accounting, pointing out the first rule is, “Make the money, don’t let the money make you.”
Towards the end of the video, Johnson walks around her room and points our her air fryer. The ad closes when the duo realize Johnson’s pet, a bearded dragon, is missing.
Angel Reese, Flau’jae Johnson leading NIL stars in basketball
Reese and Johnson may have already won a national title, but they’re in prime position to compete for another one. Tigers head coach Kim Mulkey added Hailey Van Lith and Aneesah Morrow from the portal this offseason.
Each are only seeing their NIL activity ramp up.
Represented by Jeanine Ogbonnaya, Reese averaged a double-double last season. She earned a silver medal on the AmeriCup Team earlier this month and was at the White House in May to celebrate LSU’s national championship. And last week, she announced plans to leverage her NIL brand to give back with the formation of Angel C. Reese Foundation, which will focus on empowering women through sports, education and financial literacy.
Johnson signed with the athlete empowerment brand Uninterrupted last month. Coming off the national title game, she also inked partnerships with Doritos and Papa John’s. A rap star off the court with a record deal with Jay-Z’s Roc Nation, she averaged 11 points and 5.9 rebounds in Year 1 with the Tigers.
Entering March Madness, Angel Reese had a $371,000 On3 NIL Valuation. Her valuation now is $1.6 million, which is the top-ranked women’s basketball NIL valuation. Reese’s valuation ranks No. 5 in the On3 NIL 100, which is the first of its kind and defacto NIL ranking of the top 100 high school and college athletes ranked by their On3 NIL Valuation.
Johnson is right behind her with a $1.1 million On3 NIL Valuation, ranking No. 2 in women’s basketball and No. 22 in the On3 NIL 100.