LSU 5-star commit Bella Hines becomes the only HS Hooper to signs multi-year NIL deal with Jordan Brand
LSU Tigers' 2025 recruit Bella Hines has sealed a historic NIL deal with Jordan Brand, making her the first and only high school player to land a deal with the global brand.
The five-star prospect out of Eldorado High School in Albuquerque announced her multi-year agreement with Jumpman on Wednesday, the same day LSU announced her commitment.
With that, Hines now joins the elite list of players that the $3.2 billion worth brand recognized early in their careers, including Zion Williamson, Zachariah Branch and Jordan Brand’s first NIL athlete, Kiki Rice.
"We're excited to have Bella Hines join the Jordan Brand Family,” a Jordan Brand spokesperson said to Mat Issa of Forbes. “She's a remarkable young talent who is joining an athlete roster that represents greatness for the next generation."
Bella Hines was actively being pursued by several shoe companies as she headed into her final high school season. She chose Jumpman because of her appreciation for Kobe Bryant and Micahel Jordan’s games.
"I’m a big fan of Kobe Bryant, and he always idolized Michael Jordan," Hines said in the same interview. "So, I feel like Jordan was a no-brainer for me."
The multi-faceted deal was negotiated by her agent Daveed Cohen of Lil Wayne’s Young Money APAA Sports Agency. Hines will receive monthly Jordan product packages, merchandise and cash compensation.
Bella Hines commends Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese's impact on women's basketball
Bella Hines is the 30th-ranked prospect in ESPN’s HoopGurlz Recruiting Rankings. Her deal with Jordan signifies the early scouting of talented athletes and putting them in a position to grow.
However, as her deal comes in the middle of the popularity surge of NIL and women's basketball, she commended Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese for laying the foundation for the next generation.
"Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese are a huge reason why I was able to get this deal," she said. "They made college basketball so popular. And as someone who is about to be entering the college game, they’ve made people excited to watch women’s college basketball."
Unlike LSU names like Hailey Van Lith, Angel Reese and Flau'jae Johnson, Bella Hines will be able to represent the Jordan brand in Baton Rogue. This is because it is the official supplier of sporting merch for the school.
Van Lith had a deal with Adidas, Reese was with Reebok and Johnson is in a partnership with Puma.