UNC hoops star Deja Kelly inks NIL deal with Forever 21, Sports Illustrated

Through her Twitter account, North Carolina women’s basketball star Deja Kelly announced a new NIL deal with Forever 21 and Sports Illustrated to be an ambassador for their Summer Capsule Campaign.

Kelly said she was honored to be chosen as an ambassador.

“Being a hooper, a lot of people are used to only seeing me on the court,” Kelly said. “Embracing my femininity has always been a priority of mine. This partnership was so special!”

The Summer Capsule Campaign is a collaboration between Forever 21 and Sports Illustrated. Several women’s athletes have worked as models for the collection. Among the other athletes is UCLA women’s basketball player Natalie Chou. They posed in a photoshoot reminiscent of Sports Illustrated’s Swimsuit Issue. The collection itself includes 26 different summer apparel items, like swimwear, which can be purchased through Forever 21.

Deja Kelly is a standout player for the North Carolina women’s basketball team who has been working to build her own personal NIL brand. This made her an ideal partner for Forever 21 and Sports Illustrated’s Summer Capsule Campaign.

Deja Kelly has other NIL deals

Additionally, Deja Kelly is no stranger to NIL deals. She has had numerous partnerships in the past, proving her marketability. Among those other deals that she has accumulated are NIL partnerships with Outback Steakhouse, Dunkin Donuts and Beats by Dre.

Every NIL deal is different, of course. Her Outback Steakhouse deal, for instance, allowed her and other athletes to list their favorite meals when ordering online. Dunkin Donuts made a donation to a charity of Kelly’s choice — the Velle Cares Foundation, which helps single mothers. She has also appeared in promotional materials for Beats by Dre.

As Deja Kelly continues to build her personal brand, she will continue to get more NIL deals like these.