Top 5 players with highest NIL valuation in ACC ft. Cooper Flagg
NIL deals have been the new reality of high school and college basketball for the past few years. The ability of the players to sign contracts with different brands to earn money in return has changed college athletics.
These are the deals based on one's name, image and likeliness in the hoops world. Bronny James, NBA legend LeBron James' son, had the highest NIL value of $5.8 million, according to On3, last season.
In this article, let's find out the top five players with the highest NIL valuation in the Atlantic Coast Conference.
Top 5 players with the highest NIL valuation in ACC
#5, Elliot Cadeau
Elliot Cadeau sits in the No. 32 position in On3's top 100 NIL rankings. He started his collegiate journey with the North Carolina Tar Heels in the 2023-24 season, starting 31 out of 37 games. The $478K worth Cadeau, according to On3, was a five-star recruit.
In the 2023-24 season, he averaged 7.3 points, 2.2 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game while shooting 41.7%. From the 3-point line, he converted 18.9% of his attempts while shooting 64.8% from the foul line.
#4, DJ Burns
NC State power forward D.J. Burns was the MVP of the 2024 ACC Tournament. In the 2023-24 season, he averaged 12.9 ppg, 4.0 rpg and 2.9 apg while shooting 53.1%.
According to On3, his NIL value is not yet disclosed but he ranks No. 24 in the college basketball NIL rank. He was a key player for the program in its Final Four run in the 2024 March Madness before losing 63-50 to Purdue.
#3, Hunter Sallis
Hunter Sallis' NIL value is also not disclosed yet, but he ranks No. 13 in the college basketball NIL ranking by On3. He committed to Wake Forest after playing two seasons for Gonzaga Bulldogs.
As a shooting guard for Wake Forest, Sallis averaged 18.0 ppg, 4.1 rpg and 2.5 apg last season. As a junior, he started all games for the program while shooting 48.7%, including 40.5% from beyond the arc.
#2, R.J. Davis
R.J. Davis' NIL value is undisclosed as per On3, but he ranks No. 3 in the college basketball NIL ranking. He has NIL deals with various brands like Reebok, Skims and Crocs. Earlier this year, it was estimated to be around $625,000.
The 2023=24 ACC Player of the Year, Davis started every game for UNC last season, averaging 21.2 ppg, 3.6 rpg, and 3.5 apg while shooting 42.8%.
#1, Cooper Flagg
Duke's Cooper Flagg has the No. 1 rank in college basketball NIL. His NIL value is estimated to be $1.4 M, according to On3. He was the Naismith Boys' High School Player of the Year 2024.
He went to Montverde Academy in high school where he averaged 16.1 ppg, 7. rpg, and 3.6 apg in the 2023-24 season. He led his high school team to a 30-0 record season. He is expected to be the key player for Duke next season.