This time, Forbes’ 30 Under 30 list is all about Gen Z. While the generation often gets labeled as “glued to their phones” or the creators of bizarre internet trends, they are also reshaping business and creativity on a massive scale. And when it comes to college basketball, you’d think names like Paige Bueckers and JuJu Watkins, would be THE conversation. Well, neither made the list. Instead, the spotlight is on Haley and Hanna Cavinder, the twin sensations from the University of Miami.

The reason could be that the Cavinder twins aren’t your ordinary college athletes. They’re a brand, a business, and one of the best multi-taskers. Starting their collegiate basketball careers at Fresno State, they quickly became stars. After three seasons, they transferred to Miami, where they helped the Hurricanes make history by reaching the Elite Eight in 2023.

But after the 2022-23 season, both Haley and Hanna decided to retire from basketball to focus on their business ventures. However, retirement didn’t last long. Haley announced her return to the court, briefly entering the transfer portal before recommitting to Miami. And Hanna followed suit. Now, the twins are back for one last season.

But, it’s the off-court where they truly rule. With over 6.5 million followers combined on TikTok and Instagram, the Cavinders turned viral fame into a booming enterprise. They were among the first athletes to ink NIL deals, and they’ve been unstoppable ever since. 

From partnerships with Under Armour to co-founding their cosmetics brand, Hustle Beauty, and launching a fitness app, TWOgether, the twins are everywhere. They even invested in Slate Milk and started their own business, Cavinder Twins LLC.

Where did it all start?

Obviously, the golden days of social media influencing, the pandemic. They blew up on TikTok, sharing their basketball skills, dance moves, and glimpses of life as college athletes. Fast forward to now, they’re leading the NIL era. What makes them relatable is, they never leave a chance to connect with their fans.

They even shared the whole Forbes experience. Hanna took fans behind the scenes, vlogging their day at the Forbes 30 Under 30 Summit. “We’re here speaking at the Forbes 30 Under 30 Summit. I am so excited. Truly, it’s an honor,” she said. But do you know? Their inclusion wasn’t the only buzzworthy part of this year’s Forbes 30 under 30 sports list.

Caitlin Clark and Flau’jae Johnson shine, but Angel Reese misses out

While the Cavinder twins secured their spot, other notable names in women’s basketball also landed on the Forbes list, including Caitlin Clark and Flau’jae Johnson. Forbes highlighted CC’s incredible contributions to the game, her growing influence, and her influence on record-breaking WNBA viewership. 

Flau’jae Johnson, meanwhile, has proven she’s not just a basketball star. Perfectly balancing her rapping career with her NCAA success, the Lady Tigers star launched a podcast, The Best of Both Worlds with Flau’jae, and has become a marketable icon.

But Angel Reese’s absence from the list caught everyone off guard. Her fans expressed disappointment, especially since her former LSU teammate made the cut. This omission only seems to deepen the supposed rift between her and Johnson. 

But keeping it all aside, it’s worth noting that the Class of 2025 has raised over $3.6 billion in funding and amassed 300 million social media followers. This only proves how much influence young leaders have in today’s world.