Jordan Brand signs Kiyomi McMiller, marking first high school NIL deal
The Jordan Brand signed its first NIL athlete at the end of October. Now it has made its first move in the high school ranks.
Parlayed with Nike ramping up its activity, the Jumpman brand has signed Kiyomi McMiller. One of the most highly touted recruits in the class of 2024, she joins UCLA freshman Kiki Rice as the only two athletes known to have an NIL partnership with the Jordan Brand.
“I’m inspired by both of my parents,” McMiller said in a statement. “I get my creativity from my dad and my grandmother, which carries over to my dribbling. I’m always in the gym with my mom and dad working on my game. It’s a dream come true being with the brand that stands for the same passion that I have for the game.
“I look forward to encouraging basketball players to use their creativity and platform to define their purpose.”
McMiller, a point guard, joins a loaded roster of women’s athletes who have signed with the brand, including WNBA stars Maya Moore, Crystal Dangerfield and Dearica Hamby.
McMiller boasts offers from more than 40 colleges. She recently announced her top 25, which included LSU, Ohio State, Baylor and NC State.
Entering this school year, she transferred to the Life Center Academy in Burlington, New Jersey. As part of the Penn-Jersey Athletic Association, the prep school plays beyond the state line and in tournaments nationally. Both Pennsylvania and New Jersey allow high school athletes to monetize their publicity rights.
Originally from Silver Spring, Maryland, she’s previously played high school ball at Trinity Collegiate School and St. Vincent Pallotti High School in Baltimore. McMiller’s father, Mike, recently told the Philadelphia Inquirer that his daughter plays with a DMV style.
The Jordan Brand is not McMiller’s only brand deal. She previously launched her first NFT in May. With more than 43,000 followers on Instagram, she is starting to build her following off the court.
Nike, Jordan Brand continuing to expand in NIL
While some brands dove headfirst into the NIL landscape, other brands went into wait-and-see mode. In a new marketplace, companies were not sure what the return on investment would look like.
Nike was one of the those brands – until October. The sportswear and sneaker giant made a statement this fall, signing Bronny James, Caitlin Clark, Haley Jones, DJ Wagner and Judea Watkins. A collection of college and high school talent, each athlete has the potential to be a star in either the NBA or WNBA.
Weeks later, the Jordan Brand followed up by signing Kiki Rice. The UCLA freshman passed on UConn, Stanford, Arizona and Duke. And she’s currently in Year 1 in Westwood, representing the Jumpman brand on the court. UCLA is one of seven colleges that have partnered with Air Jordan for its gear; the others are Florida, Houston, Howard, Michigan, North Carolina and Oklahoma.