Kentucky WBB point guard Jada Walker signs first NIL deal

Jada Walker is being rewarded for her impressive freshman season in Lexington.

The Kentucky Women’s Basketball point guard has signed her first individual name, image, and likeness (NIL) deal with Rise Up Sports Media, a local company designed to promote and highlight females in the world of sports. Walker was tabbed to the SEC’s All-Freshman team this past season after averaging 10.4 points and 3.0 rebounds per outing on 41.4 percent shooting. The 5-foot-7 native of Virginia became a full-time starter midway through the season and expects to play a significant role in her upcoming sophomore season.

“Rise Up Sports Media could not be more excited to announce our first NIL student athlete, basketball standout Jada Walker, who had a memorable freshman year in the Bluegrass State and is poised for an explosive sophomore campaign,” The press release states. “What she brings to the court with her size and tenacity are exactly what we at Rise Up want young girls to see and recognize. It isn’t your size it’s your heart, passion, determination, and the will to win. She’s the whole package, you are going to want to KNOW HER NAME!!”

With this NIL deal, Walker will participate in Rise Up Sports Media appearances while also promoting and creating merchandise through Rise Up. The contract will end at the conclusion of the 2022-2023 season.

Rise Up Sports Media has previously signed several “ambassadors” to the new brand, which are separate from Walker’s NIL deal, including the likes of recent No. 1 WNBA Draft selection Rhyne Howard and incoming Kentucky freshman point guard Cassidy Rowe. This individual NIL contract for Walker is the first for herself and Rise Up Sports Media.