Angel Reese might not have had the best rookie season due to her abrupt end from a left wrist injury, but it was certainly remarkable. “Chi-town Barbie,” with her league-high 13 rebounds per game, excels both on and off the court. Haven’t you seen her endorsement deals? From Reese’s Pieces, Beats by Dre, and Reebok, to Good American, she has nailed them all. But the process behind all her achievements is no longer a secret!

In a recent episode of her podcast show, Unapologetically Angel, the 22-year-old Maryland native teamed up with Lonzo Ball and LaMelo Ball to discuss various topics around the NBA and WNBA. How could they not bring up collegiate sports? If you’re unaware, both Lonzo and LaMelo Ball did not earn degrees, barely spending a month in college. Reese couldn’t resist asking, “With the NIL, you wouldn’t go either?” While Lonzo acknowledged that it did make a difference, Reese followed up.

“At least you see LA, LA is home, you’ll be home stacking money,” added the Chicago Sky sensation. That’s exactly what she did during her collegiate days, making dollars through NIL deals as she was among the first to seize the opportunity. Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals were introduced in 2021 when Reese was a guard for LSU.

She had deals with Outback Steakhouse, Xfinity, Coach, Bose, Discord, McDonald’s, and even TurboTax. She admitted that her deals helped her earn millions, thanks to her friend. “Me and my agent, and I have another agent, Gina, here that works with me for basketball. But it’s been me and her since then… we’ve made millions of dollars,” shared Reese during a recent episode of 360 with Speedy. Making money through NIL wasn’t an option available to Lonzo Ball.

He missed out seven years ago.

It all started in 2017 when Ball joined the Bruins’ roster as a freshman. As dominant as he was, he surged to popularity with his unmatched skills on the court in less than a year. However, it all faded when the Bruins were eliminated in the Sweet 16. In a game against Kentucky, the Bruins bid farewell to the championship run after an 86-75 loss.

During that game, Ball contributed 10 points, eight assists, and four turnovers. He strained his hamstring but kept playing until he was limping in the second half. While he didn’t use it as an excuse for being outplayed, he later made a major announcement to declare for the 2017 NBA Draft, marking the end of his college career.

If he had played longer and stayed through, he could have earned more. Nevertheless, he isn’t empty-handed after entering the NBA. The Chicago Bulls standout currently sponsors Marvel, C4 Energy, and Foot Locker. He even promoted and owned stocks in Big Baller Brand, extending his net worth to an impressive $40 million.

Impressive, right? But there’s more. Ball recently picked up the $21.4 million player option on his contract to play for the Chicago Bulls next season. While there’s uncertainty if he will return after undergoing three surgeries on his left knee over the past two years, this decision will add a lot more to Ball’s net worth.