As the youngest child in the famous Sanders family, Shelomi Sanders has grown up in the shadow of not just one, but two athletic brothers. Shedeur, the standout quarterback for the Colorado Buffaloes, and Shilo, a rising defensive back, have both made waves in college football. This, however, has not deterred her a bit from carving out her own path in college basketball. Nicknamed affectionately as “Bossy” for her assertive nature, Shelomi has always competed with her brothers on the court.

In fact, one could even say such an environment has helped Shelomi to accustom herself to the pressures of competition. “We all kind of played the same sports,” she shared with the Aurora Sentinel, adding, “I like to say I was the best athlete of the family.” She quipped while referring to the fact that she was used to playing football and basketball with her brothers. This competitive spirit, paired with her love for basketball, sparked Shelomi’s journey from Rockwall-Heath High School in Texas to the courts of Alabama.

From family legacy to personal triumph: Building an impressive resume

Shelomi began her collegiate career in Jackson State’s women’s basketball team in 2022, but when her father, Deion Sanders, moved to Colorado to take the head coaching position, she followed suit, transferring to the University of Colorado for the 2023-24 season. However, after a season of limited play with the Buffaloes, she entered the NCAA transfer portal, eventually signing with the Alabama A&M Bulldogs under new head coach Dawn Thornton.

She made an immediate impact in her debut with Alabama A&M, scoring a career-high 14 points in just 10 minutes in the season-opening exhibition game where the Bulldogs attained a 96-50 victory over Oakwood.

Off the court, Shelomi’s NIL journey may not mirror her brothers’ explosive deals, but her growing presence in the NIL space speaks volumes about her social media presence. According to On3.com, her NIL valuation is approximately $288,000. While her older brothers, Shedeur and Shilo, are more dominant figures in the NIL market—Shedeur’s valuation stands at an impressive $6.2 million and Shilo’s at $1 million—Shelomi has found her niche and is beginning to make waves in her own right.

In fact, Shelomi has a strong social media following, with nearly 700,000 followers across Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter. Instagram is her top platform, where she has around 454,000 followers, while TikTok brings in another 236,000. This social media reach has also helped her in securing partnerships with major brands like Dexcom and EA Sports, despite her more modest NIL figure compared to her brothers.

For Shelomi, it’s clear that her journey isn’t just about the financial perks that NIL deals bring. It’s about making a name for herself, separate from her famous family.

Shelomi Sanders: Overcoming diabetes and building her unique legacy

Although born into wealth, Shelomi has her own battles to fight. The chiefest of them is her war with Type 1 diabetes while being an athlete which adds another layer to her narrative. While her family, particularly her brothers, have been supportive, she’s candid about the challenges of managing the disease. “It’s hard, because it’s just you dealing with all this,” she shared in an interview with Tiana Cooks on the YouTube channel, Beyond Type 1.

Shelomi further spoke about her struggles by stating, “ Well, I’m still learning to this day about my body and how to control it. I feel like it never stops, like, learning, you know, and just figuring out, like, new things with your body. Right now, dang. Like, I’m still trying to figure it out. Because when I work out, my blood tends to go high. Yeah, it does. And I heard, like, most people, like, it goes low. So, that’s different.”  

Despite the Diabetes, Shelomi has remained focused on her goals. Whether it’s improving her game in the gym or engaging with fans on social media, she approaches everything with a positive attitude. “I just give out energy and you know, I’m always gonna smile, always gonna bring good vibes, always gonna laugh,” she said. That energy is what makes her stand out—not just as Deion Sanders’ daughter, but as an athlete and influencer in her own right.

Her decision to transfer to Alabama A&M is a reflection of her desire to grow. “I’m a freshman and a female, so they weren’t gonna leave me in Jackson with the whole family coming over,” Shelomi said, reflecting on her earlier transfer to Colorado.

Hence, the move to Alabama A&M represents a new chapter in her basketball career and her NIL story. As the Bulldogs’ new head coach, Dawn Thornton, builds a competitive program, Shelomi’s presence might just become a significant part of that foundation.

While Shelomi may never reach the massive NIL valuations of her brothers, she’s found a unique space where she can thrive. From her high-profile family roots to her personal growth as an athlete, Shelomi’s journey is just beginning. As her influence continues to rise, one thing is certain: Shelomi Sanders is a force to be reckoned with, both on and off the court.