On July 16, 2025, the Associated Press spotlighted LSU’s Flau’jae Johnson, Notre Dame’s Hannah Hidalgo, and TCU’s Olivia Miles—not just for their contributions to the U.S. gold medal run at the 2025 FIBA Women’s AmeriCup, but for their pioneering success in the NIL era. These young women are building personal brands, earning millions, and leading a cultural and financial shift in women’s college basketball.
🔍 Key Facts or Breaking News Details
The 2025 FIBA Women’s AmeriCup wasn’t just a tournament win—it cemented these three stars as rising global names in basketball. Each athlete is a central figure in her team’s success, and they’re using their visibility to fuel massive NIL earnings. Their presence in the second season of Full Court Press and expanding endorsement portfolios show how far women’s sports have come in just a few years.
💸 Money Angle / Wealth Perspective
Flau’jae Johnson – LSU’s Multi-Talented Star
- NIL Valuation: $1.5 million
- Annual NIL Earnings: ~$2.9 million
- Career NIL Earnings: Estimated $5–7 million
- Additional Income (music/media): $300K–$1.5M
- Estimated Net Worth: $3–5 million
Hannah Hidalgo – Notre Dame’s Defensive Dynamo
- NIL Valuation: $1.1 million
- Annual NIL Earnings: ~$800K–$1.2M
- Career NIL Earnings: Estimated $1.6–2.4 million
- Estimated Net Worth: $1–1.5 million
Olivia Miles – TCU’s Versatile Leader
- NIL Valuation: $800K
- Annual NIL Earnings: ~$500K–$800K
- Career NIL Earnings: Estimated $1.5–2.5 million
- Estimated Net Worth: $1–1.5 million
These net worth figures are even more remarkable when you consider these athletes haven’t played a minute in the WNBA—showing that the new college era offers life-changing financial upside for women.
📈 Career or Performance Background
Flau’jae Johnson:
A senior guard and national champion with LSU, Johnson is also a rising rapper, known for her debut album Best of Both Worlds. Averaging 14.9 PPG in 2024–25 and an All-SEC leader, she’s opted to return for her senior year to chase another title and boost her WNBA draft stock.
Hannah Hidalgo:
This Notre Dame junior is one of college basketball’s most electric guards. With 22.6 PPG and 6.2 APG in her sophomore season, she’s a back-to-back AP First-Team All-American and ACC Defensive Player of the Year. Her 1.2M Instagram followers and starring role in Full Court Press have helped amplify her brand.
Olivia Miles:
After tearing her ACL, Miles returned in spectacular fashion with a 20-point triple-double. Now at TCU, she leads the program as a senior while positioning herself as a top 2026 WNBA Draft prospect. Her transfer and NIL savvy reflect a player focused on both game and brand.
🌟 Brand, Influence & Culture Impact
All three athletes bring unique flair to the college sports landscape. Johnson blends hip-hop culture with SEC hoops, Hidalgo is known for her grit and poise under pressure, and Miles has cultivated an image of determination and leadership. Together, they represent a new era of student-athletes who are as comfortable in boardrooms and media sets as they are on the hardwood.
Their starring roles in Full Court Press on ESPN+, Hulu, and Disney+ are part of a broader effort to grow women’s hoops into a mainstream media force. Their AmeriCup success also reinforces their roles as future Olympians and WNBA stars.
📌 The Distinct Athlete Angle
This is what Distinct Athlete is all about—athletes turning moments into movements, talent into wealth, and college into enterprise. Flau’jae Johnson, Hannah Hidalgo, and Olivia Miles exemplify what happens when preparation, performance, and brand power collide. From NIL deals worth millions to streaming shows and youth camps, they are defining the future of women’s basketball on their terms.
Their stories echo our mission—to spotlight athletes who aren’t just playing the game but changing it.
🔗 Related Reads on Distinct Athlete
- Caitlin Clark’s NIL Surge and WNBA Transition
- Angel Reese: From College Stardom to Cultural Icon
- Top 10 Most Marketable Athletes in College Sports Right Now
💬 Join the Conversation
Who do you think has the highest ceiling—Johnson, Hidalgo, or Miles? Which NIL deal surprised you most? Drop your thoughts in the comments and follow us @distinctathlete on all platforms for more stories shaping the money side of sports.
