FAU's Johnell Davis signs NIL deal with Adam Weitsman ahead of Final Four

When Florida Atlantic tips off against San Diego State on Saturday night in Houston, Johnell Davis will be playing for more than just the right to play in the national title game.

He’s also trying to prove himself for his family. After he dropped 29 points, along with 12 rebounds, five assists and five steals against Fairleigh Dickinson to help the Owls reach the Sweet 16, he was honest about why he plays the game.

“I’m just trying to feed my family, that’s all,” Davis said. The Gary, Indiana, native didn’t have a simple path to FAU. Gary is widely considered one of the toughest cities in the Midwest.

New York Times bestselling author Jeff Pearlman shined a light on Davis’ story on Twitter, which caught the eye of IP attorney Darren Heitner. An active name in the NIL world, he’s worked with athletes, institutions and collectives. He is also the lawyer for Adam Weitsman, who is the owner and chief executive officer of Upstate Shredding. The entrepreneur is also a Syracuse booster, making headlines in recent months for his NIL work with the Orange basketball team.

Weitsman made the decision to venture out of upstate New York, however, in his latest NIL deal. After trying to make contact with Davis’ camp over the last week, Heitner was able to connect with the FAU-focused Owl Collective.

Weitsman has signed an NIL agreement with Davis worth $10,000, facilitated by the NIL collective. As part of the agreement, the FAU player will do charitable work in the Boca Raton area at the conclusion of the NCAA tournament.

“I felt compelled to offer a hand after hearing about Johnell Davis’ interview where he said that he was just trying to feed his family,” Weitsman told On3. “Here is an athlete who has proven himself throughout the NCAA Tournament and shined on the largest stage when his FAU team needed him most. I hope that he is able to use the money I’ve provided to benefit his family and am excited that our deal will also cause him to pay it forward by offering to help educate and assist those battling hunger in the Florida region.”

The sophomore guard enters Saturday night’s game averaging 13.9 points and 5.5 rebounds this season. After fighting for a role in the starting lineup earlier this season, Davis has recorded more than 28 minutes in every game in the tourney.

In the program’s just second-ever NCAA tournament appearance, the Owls have a shot to play in Monday night’s national title game.

No matter the outcome of Saturday’s game, Davis has made a name for himself the last three weeks and can help provide for his family.