First High School Player Inks NIL, Could Be Fast Millionaire

When I was in high school, some new cargo shorts, a clean pair of Adidas Superstar 2Gs, two or three squirts of Cool Water, and a leased sedan (via your parents) were the surefire ways to score a prom date. Mikey Williams probably won't have to go to those extremes to find a dance partner. The 17-year-old is in line to make millions, thanks to the name, imagine, likeness (NIL) rules in North Carolina.

A top-10 basketball recruit in the class of 2023, Williams signed an endorsement and sponsorship deal with Excel Sports Management that's expected to generate millions of dollars. Originally from San Diego, Williams resides in North Carolina, which has no law preventing high school athletes from profiting off of their name, image and likeness. He's the first high school hooper to take advantage of the new lucrative NIL rules.

Matt Davis, the vice president of Excel Sports Management told ESPN that he believes the deal will "generate millions of dollars" for the hoops standout. "Mikey's relevance around his peers in the basketball community is off the charts. He's one of the most relevant personalities in the basketball community. His digital and social following speak for themselves," said Davis, via ESPN.

Williams' financial boom has the makings of the biggest high school flex since Kobe took Brandy to prom.

Williams, who is probably the only millionaire dissecting a frog in a Lake Norman Christian science class this fall, commented on his historic deal via ESPN: "The NIL rules provide a new opportunity for someone like me who has put in so much energy and effort into building a community. I am excited to be the first high school athlete to make this move. I love to hoop and I love engaging with my fans and look forward to continuing to share my journey with everyone."

Soon enough, the young man's going to have enough paper to purchase Cool Water by the gallon.

Look out, ladies.