Steph Curry sign UConn women's basketball star to NIL deal

The NIL scene has been changing ever since it’s been announced. Some creative deals have been struck between companies and college athletes. On Wednesday one between one of the biggest NBA stars and one of women’s college basketball’s rising stars struck a deal.

According to Front Office Sports, Steph Curry and his brand, SC30 Inc., have signed UConn women’s basketball star Azzi Fudd to a “wide-ranging” NIL deal. The two met during a camp in 2018 and have been good friends ever since. Now, their relationship has been taken to a new level.

Curry says he is not only going to sponsor Fudd but personally mentor her throughout her basketball career. The Golden State Warriors star called the UConn player the “next face of women’s basketball.”

Official terms of the deal have yet to be released. Curry is now the first NBA player to personally sponsor a collegiate athlete.

“Azzi Fudd is the best choice to start a brand relationship like this because she is the next face of women’s basketball and has been a part of SC30 Inc. and the Curry Brand family since she was an invitee to the All-American Camp,” Curry said via ESPN.

“Our values are aligned when it comes to family, and in terms of hard work and for the appreciation of blessings in your life,” Curry continued. “For me, this is the right time because I have identified the platforms that I have, aligning purpose over profit, and the ability to collaborate with the right partners for the right opportunities. I want to be able to unlock that for Azzi, and for other talented athletes and influencers that see the world the same way I do. It is my hope that we can inspire the next generation of athletes and non-athletes who want to do amazing things.”

Fudd and the Huskies have played four games so far this season with a 3-1 record. She is the fourth leading scorer on the team, averaging 7.5 points per game. On the glass, Fudd has nine total on the season along with two assists. However, her most impressive stat may be only committing three turnovers.

On Nov. 21 against Southern Florida, the true freshman scored a career-high of 18 points, going 6-9 from behind the three-point arc.

Curry himself has been lighting it up on the court as well. The three-time NBA Champion, two-time MVP, and two-time scoring champion picked up where he left off from last season, averaging 27.8 points per game. He is also averaging 6.6 assists and securing 5.7 rebounds.