Basketball players are some of the highest NIL earners in college sports. Their impressive earnings lessen the need to declare for the NBA draft after the freshman year.
With March Madness around the corner, let’s look at the five highest-earning men’s college basketball athletes.
Top 5 men’s college basketball athletes with highest NIL valuation
5. Donovan Dent, Guard, UCLA Bruins – $2 million
Donovan Dent made the move from New Mexico to UCLA during the offseason. The flamboyant guard averaged 20.4 points per game as a junior last season.
According to Fox Sports, Dent received a $3 million NIL deal to transfer to UCLA in March. He received $2 million of that deal up front, while he’ll earn $1 million during the ongoing 2025-26 season. He currently averages 13.5 points per game with the Bruins.
4. Boogie Fland, Guard, Florida Gators – $2.1 million
Boogie Fland initially declared for the 2025 NBA draft. However, the former Arkansas star removed his name from consideration and decided to take his talent to Florida.
According to Fox Sports, Fland’s move to Florida was sweetened by an NIL package worth $2.1 million. He currently averages 11.3 points per game and is looking to improve his stock ahead of the 2026 draft.
3. Yaxel Lendeborg, Forward, Michigan Wolverines – $2.3 million
Yaxel Lendeborg was initially set to enter the 2025 NBA draft. However, the versatile forward removed his name from consideration in late May.
According to CBS, Lendeborg’s NIL package from Michigan is valued at $2-3 million. He is averaging 14.4 points in the 2025-26 season.
2. JT Toppin, Forward, Texas Tech Red Raiders – $2.8 million
JT Toppin was the star of the show as the Texas Tech Red Raiders reached the Elite Eight in the 2024-25 season. He scored 18.2 points per game and was the school’s go-to bucket getter in high-stakes situations.
The Red Raiders made Toppin one of the highest earners in collegiate sports to ensure he sticks around for the 2025-26 season. He’s currently averaging 21.9 points as Texas Tech looks to make a deeper postseason run.
1. AJ Dybantsa, Forward – BYU Cougars – $4.4 million
AJ Dybantsa got paid a major bag to start his collegiate basketball career at BYU. According to On3 Sports, Dybantsa is valued at $4.4 million.
The skillful forward reportedly has sponsorship deals with Red Bull and Nike. He’s living up to expectations on the court with 24.4 points per game, and he’ll likely go one-and-done at the end of the 2025-26 season.
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Edited by Nick Igbokwe