Editor’s Note: Picks were selected with the following standards: (1) Team must have made the Elite Eight, (2) One selection per team (if applicable).
The Nutmeg State hosts a champion once more.
The UConn Huskies beat their opponents by an average of 20 points, the fourth-largest win margin since the field was expanded to 68 teams in 1985.
There was no shortage of moments, heroic individual performances, or even Cinderellas — in a year that featured not only the second-ever No. 16 seed upset, but another unlikely No. 15 run to the Sweet 16, no No. 1 seeds in the Elite Eight, and the FAU Owls capturing America’s hearts as just the third No. 9 seed to make the final weekend.
Narrowing down a field of 68 teams into a small cluster of standout performers is a daunting task, but with the tournament in the rear view, The NIL Deal’s Steven McAvoy and Dan Stack highlight their picks for the All-NIL men’s team.
Jordan Hawkins – UConn
Offense was the name of the game for Hawkins in the NCAA Tournament. Connecting on half his three-point attempts and three-quarters of his attempts from the stripe, Hawkins averaged 16 points per game and led the guard play for the Huskies all tournament long.
Props need to be given to big man Adama Sonogo, who was a driving force in UConn winning it all, but due to his student visa is ineligible to earn NIL deals while in the states. Therefore, Hawkins gets the nod.
The sophomore declared for the NBA draft just days ago, so his opportunity to cash in on his name, image and likeness is short, but that won’t deter any brands from getting a piece of the pie before he lands on an NBA roster as a projected lottery selection.
Lamont Butler – San Diego State
Butler is already cashing on his NIL opportunities, as he garnered NIL offers from Urban Outfitters and Level Select after his buzzer-beating basket beat Florida Atlantic in the semifinals. While the Aztecs came up short in the title game against UConn, we will remember Butler for his clutch heroics and more NIL deals could be on his way, especially since he’ll return for at least another year.
In his last three tournament games, Butler averaged 13.3 points while shooting 60 percent from three-point range. For the season, he was the Aztecs’ leading distributor (3.2 assists per game) and led the team in steals (1.5), while also coming in third in scoring (8.8 points per game).
Isaiah Wong – Miami
Wong led the Hurricanes in both swishing and dishing averaging 16.2 points and just over three assists, along with a team leading 1.4 steals per contest.
Come tournament time, the junior, alongside teammate Nijel Pack, averaged 16 points per game, leading the Hurricanes in scoring and carrying Miami to the program’s first Final Four appearance.
While he is clearly one of Miami’s best, his NIL profile doesn’t scream elite talent, with most of his deals consisting of smaller-scale local opportunities. If last year’s tournament didn’t net Wong NIL attention, this year should. Keep an eye out on the rising senior.
Johnell Davis – Florida Atlantic
While Davis struggled in the Owls’ semifinal game against San Diego State (2-of-7 from the field and scoring just eight points), he left an indelible impression as he was the driving force behind FAU’s improbable run to the Final Four.
He also cashed in on some NIL deals, as noted Syracuse booster Adam Weitsman helped him secure a $10,000 NIL deal to help him and his family. More could be on the way after he led the Owls in scoring (13.5 points per game) for the 2022-23 season.
Drew Timme – Gonzaga
Despite never getting the chance to cut down the nets in March, Drew Timme’s career as a Bulldog is one that will forever cement his name among the greatest Zags ever — quite possibly the greatest.
No, he’s not as naturally gifted as John Stockton or as physically imposing as Adam Morrison, but as the school’s all-time leading scorer, Timme is in the conversation.
As if Timme hasn’t already made enough NIL money, his ridiculous 24.3 points, 9.3 rebounds stat line across four games — not to mention his 36 point onslaught against UCLA — should make him one of the most sought after athletes to work with, if he wasn’t already.
Markquis Nowell – Kansas State
Although his team fell short in the Elite Eight to Florida Atlantic, Nowell was perhaps the player who enhanced his profile the most and in the process landed some NIL money. His t-shirts are already a big seller, with him partnering with the apparel company Charlie Hustle.
Here is a link to his shirt that sells on Charlie Hustle.
He has played his last game and before he turns professional, he will always revel in his incredible NCAA Tournament performance, which ranks up there with the best of the best. In four games in the Big Dance, Nowell averaged 21 points, a whopping 13.5 assists and 4 steals per game, while connecting on 29 of his 65 three-point attempts.
Ryan Nembhard – Creighton
Nembhard made waves last week with his decision to enter the transfer portal after he wrapped up a great run with Creighton in helping the Bluejays reach the Elite Eight.
He may get some lucrative NIL deals, and the buzz is that he will most likely transfer to Arizona and play for Wildcats head coach Tommy Lloyd.
Lloyd helped recruit Ryan’s brother and NBA player, Andrew, while he was working at Gonzaga.
Wherever he ends up, expect Nembhard to make a huge impact after he ended his Creighton tenure by averaging 14 points, 3.5 assists and 3.2 rebounds per game in four games in the Big Dance.
The NIL Deal’s Dan Stack contributed to this report.
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