High school athletes put their hearts and souls into their craft. After recent rule changes that allow players to license their own names, images and likenesses, star athletes can now cash in on endorsement deals, social media collaborations and even personal appearances. The world of NIL is still growing, but the marketplace for these young athletes is projected to grow into a $3-5 billion industry within the next five years. To be the best, these hoopers must be stars both on and off the court.

Here's a selection of some of the top NIL-earning athletes as of May 2023.

Ace Bailey

NIL Valuation: $531K

College: Rutgers Scarlet Knights

Originally from Chattanooga, Tennessee, Airious "Ace" Bailey transferred to McEachern High School in Power Springs, Georgia, before his sophomore year. Despite not participating in elite competitions like USA Basketball and the NBAPA Top 100 camp, he possesses excellent length and breathtaking athleticism that keeps him competitive amongst other athletes. Airious takes pride in his ability to lead and collaborate with others on the court but takes immense pride in building a legacy he can call his own.

Photography: Instagram/@airiousbailey

DJ Wagner Jr.

NIL Valuation: $702K

College: Kentucky Wildcats

DJ Wagner Jr. was a household name in the basketball world long before he ever stepped on the court – his dad, Dajuan Wagner played for the Univerity of Memphis, then three seasons for the Cleveland Cavaliers. DJ snagged his first headline in middle school on the AAU circuit for his high-end motor and defensive prowess. He led Camden High School to the New Jersey state title in 2022, and he was named the Gatorade Player of the Year in New Jersey. While still in high school, Wagner signed a contract with WME Sports for NIL representation and began to establish himself as a legitimate brand.

Photography: Instagram/@dj_wag21

Ian Jackson

NIL Valuation: $576K

College: North Carolina Tar Heels

After averaging 19.8 points, five rebounds, and four assists in 2021, Jackson led the Bronx (New York) Cardinal Hayes to the CHSAA Class AA state championship and a top-10 national rating. As a junior, he followed that up with first-team CHSAA Class AA all-league recognition and exceeded the 1,000-point scoring milestone. He is most notable for wanting to be a positive role model for his community and upcoming athletes.

Photography: Instagram/@captainjack.22

Isaiah Collier

NIL Valuation: $576K

College: USC Trojans

Collier was already a highly sought-after talent before he worked through a knee ailment that kept him out for most of that summer. The Steph Curry Camp, which included about 25 of the top recruits in the country, voted Collier MVP. Additionally, he received the Under Armour Elite 24 Camp MVP award. "Getting better every single day" is the code he lives by.

Photography: Instagram/@isaiahcollier

Matas Buzelis

NIL Valuation: $584K

College: NBA G League

Buzelis made news headlines in June 2022 when he declared he was skipping college and joining the G-League Ignite instead. Ultimately, he decided against attending Kentucky, North Carolina, Florida State, or Wake Forest in favor of going the professional route. He played his junior year at Brewster Academy in New Hampshire before transferring to Sunrise Christian Academy in Kansas for his senior year.

Photography: Instagram/@matasbuzelis

Jared McCain

NIL Valuation: $1.2M

College: Duke Blue Devils

Before his senior year of high school, McCain had diligently built a solid brand on TikTok with more than 1.7 million followers. He was one of NIL's early success stories, having signed sponsorships with Champs Sports, Lemon Perfect and Crocs.

Photography: Instagram/@jmccain24

Robert Dillingham

NIL Valuation: $853K

College: Kentucky Wildcats

Robert Dillingham is a local of Charlotte, where he began his career at the AAU level. He averaged 21.2 points, 4.9 assists, and 4.1 rebounds at Combine Academy, then shot to national fame. He led his team to a 29-3 record and won Player of the Year honors from the Charlotte Observers. Before his junior year, he transferred to Kanye West's now-defunct school, Donda Academy, in Simi Valley, California. His extraordinary talent and physicality helped the United States win gold at the FIBA U16 Americas Championship in 2021.

Photography: Instagram/@robwitdashifts

Bronny James

NIL Valuation: $7.2M

College: Undecided

Bronny James is the 40th-ranked player of the 2023 class. His NIL's ranking is nearly double the value of any other athlete in high school or college, and he has already sealed major deals with Nike and Beats by Dre. His dedication to the sport and family name helped solidify his spot as one of the game's most valuable high school athletes. Through all his hard effort, he dreams of playing with his dad in the NBA one day.

Photography: Instagram/@bronny