As the NCAA season approaches, one of the most intriguing storylines centers on the Iowa Hawkeyes. This year, they’ll hit the court with a completely transformed roster, the most significant change being the departure of star player Caitlin Clark. Jan Jensen, the newly appointed head coach of the Iowa Hawkeyes, faces a significant challenge as she’ll need to maintain the standards of consistent performance that the team has set in recent years, especially with six new faces on the roster, five of whom are freshmen.

However, Jensen also has the advantage of eight returning players who bring valuable experience from past seasons, which will be crucial for Iowa’s success this year. Among this experienced group is Kennise Johnson. Today we’ll dive into her performance and marketability, shedding light on what she brings to the team.

Kennise Johnson: The only sophomore on Iowa’s roster

As her teammates transition into their junior and senior years, Kennise Johnson stands out as the sole player on the Iowa roster entering her sophomore season. A member of the Class of 2023, Johnson joined the Hawkeyes last year after showcasing her impressive skills at Plainfield Central High School. Additionally, she honed her talent at Example Academy, where she played under head coach Barry Bradford, who also served as her AAU coach at Example Sports.

The Iowa point guard’s high school achievements certainly didn’t go unnoticed as she racked up multiple awards for her on-court performance and earned recognition as the No. 3 guard in Illinois. Ranked as the No. 13 overall prospect in the state, she played a pivotal role in leading her team to the Prep School National Championship. During her junior season, she delivered an impressive all-around performance, averaging 11.3 points, 6.2 assists, 5.9 rebounds, and 3.1 steals per game.

Unfortunately, Kennise Johnson didn’t get much time on the court during her freshman season at Iowa. Wearing jersey number 13, she made just 14 appearances in black and gold, all from the bench. Her time on the floor was limited to an average of only 2.9 minutes per game, during which she managed to score 7 points, grab 4 rebounds, dish out 3 assists, and snag a steal throughout the entire season.

It’s no surprise, though, given that Iowa’s roster boasted standout players like Caitlin Clark, Kate Martin, and Hannah Stuelke, all of whom showcased significant talent. But this year certainly brings her a fresh opportunity on platter and if she could seize that, she might get perks and witness a boom in her NIL value and marketability as well.

Kennise Johnson’s potential NIL and marketability in the NCAA spotlight

With only a year under her belt and limited playing time, Kennise Johnson’s fanbase hasn’t exploded just yet. Currently, she has just over 4,500 followers on Instagram, and her account features only 12 public posts, reflecting her inconsistent sharing of updates. However, there’s no denying that Johnson’s potential in the sports market is beginning to emerge.

While the specifics of Johnson’s NIL deals often remain under wraps, it’s widely reported that athletes in her position generally earn anywhere from $1,000 to $10,000 for individual endorsements, depending on their visibility and market appeal. Securing a scholarship with Iowa is also comes as a big win for her.

The Hawkeye’s National Letter of Intent (NLI) solidifies her commitment to Iowa and can significantly boost her marketability. This formal agreement opens doors for potential partnerships and NIL deals, making her a more attractive prospect for brands. However, pinpointing her net worth at this stage is a bit tricky since she’s still in the early days of her athletic career. As a college basketball player at the University of Iowa, she hasn’t started earning a professional salary yet.

But Johnson really only wants to enjoy the game and the experience her college life has got to offer. “I just want to win and grow as a player, just learn as much as I can from all the older girls and apply my defense to the team. Off the court, I want to make new friends, do well in school and try to participate in as many things as I can,” she says.

As the Iowa Hawkeyes embark on this new season, it would be interesting to see how Kennise Johnson capitalizes on the opportunities with a fresh roster.