Illinois Basketball Is a Top Dog in The NIL World

Brad Underwood, Illinois Basketball Capitalizing on Name, Image, and Likeness

Josh Whitman has been highly proactive in the ever-changing state of college athletics, assisting the Illinois Basketball team in becoming a top dog in the developing world of NIL.

Currently, recruiting at a high level in both the transfer and prep recruiting markets requires proper NIL backing. Of course, in addition to endless fundraising efforts by the Athletic Department. Luckily for fans of Illinois Basketball, Whitman and Brad Underwood are getting the job done, and progressing the program.

According to the College Basketball Report (CBKReport), CBS Sports, and Matt Norlander,  the Fighting Illini rank 10th in the nation in NIL funding.

1. Arkansas
2. Kansas
3. BYU
4. Kentucky
5. Indiana
6. Kansas State 
7. Baylor
8. Louisville
9. Alabama
10. Illinois

Schools with the best basketball NIL 💰

via a CBS and @MattNorlander poll pic.twitter.com/1RB9lUs9sB

— College Basketball Report (@CBKReport) August 21, 2024

Show Me the Money

Certainly, Brad Underwood has his sights set on winning a national championship at Illinois. If he is going to make that happen, the Illini will need to compete against the best in recruiting. If Illinois Basketball is going to continue to land NBA talent like Will Riley, and Kasparas Jakucionis, they are going to need the funds to do so.

Seeing that Illinois is a top-10 program in NIL fundraising efforts, is a great sign for the future to come.

Mar 17, 2024; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood celebrates after defeating Wisconsin Badgers at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports

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