This year to celebrate March Madness, Degree deodorant is awarding five exceptional walk-on student-athletes an NIL deal with resources to put toward their education to keep playing the game they love.

The Unilever-owned AP/deo is the official deodorant of the NCAA and Final Four. It began its first NIL deals early on into the new rules changes period that allowed student athletes to sign deals and earn money off their Name, Imagine and Likeness, or NIL.

In the ‘Walk On’ campaign, each walk-on will receive a $25,000 NIL deal to cover the average costs and living expenses for one year of college, so they can continue to play basketball without the stress of paying for education. Each student-athlete will also be set up with a professional mentor from Degree’s parent company, Unilever, to guide them as they navigate their college years and post-graduation success, as well.

“We’re committed to giving college athletes the opportunity to share their stories of adversity to help inspire others,” said Desi Okeke, brand director, Degree Deodorant. “The Degree Walk-On program is the epitome of that notion, and a testament to how the brand continues to take a more thoughtful and meaningful approach to partnerships with college athletes.

Degree has also partnered with two-time NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo to announce a nationwide search to find a fifth walk-on to join this Degree roster. Current walk-ons and fans can nominate individuals by sharing their story on online where the contest will be live through March 19, 2023. The winner will be revealed during the Men’s Final Four weekend in Houston.

“For me, I always believed that the work is never done, and to be great in this sport you have to have focus and determination every day. These four student athletes have overcome adversity and have an undeniable passion to continue playing the sport they love,” said Antetokounmpo, the seven-time NBA All-Star from the Milwaukee Bucks. “As an official Degree 2023 partner for this year, I’m proud to kick off our partnership by finding and celebrating one more student-athlete who’s inspiring the next generation with their story and journey to get where they are today as a walk-on student athlete.”

The five walk-ons will join 33 student-athletes who are part of Degree’s Breaking Limits program comprised of athletes from a range of sports, geographies, abilities, and backgrounds, who have all persevered to break through their own limits, and inspired their peers and the next generation of athletes and non-athletes to do the same.

The Walk-On Players

Degree’s four walk-on student-athletes are:

• Andre Johnson Jr. (Men’s Basketball, University of Connecticut) – Andre is a freshman guard at the University of Connecticut. He was a highly touted prospect in high school but faced rescinded offers after being out his senior season due to tearing all the ligaments in his left arm. Motivated to keep playing, Andre continued his basketball career at the University of Connecticut where he ended up earning a roster spot his freshman year.

• Lauren Zwetzig (Women’s Basketball, University of Notre Dame) – Lauren is a junior guard at Notre Dame, where she transferred her sophomore year. Assuming her collegiate basketball career was over, she applied to be the manager of the women’s team to stay close to the sport but was later offered a walk-on position after proving her talents on the practice team. 

• Ronnie Porter (Women’s Basketball, University of Wisconsin) – Ronnie is a freshman guard at University of Wisconsin. Ronnie received several offers but chose University of Wisconsin to shape her future in the nonprofit space; an area she’s very passionate about. The team contacted her and after proving her value on the practice team she’s received great playing time.

• Spencer Hubbard (Men’s Basketball, Duke University) – Spencer is a junior guard where he was on the practice team his freshman year before earning a walk-on spot as a sophomore. At every level throughout his career, others would consider Spencer undersized, but this has only motivated his relentless effort, positive attitude, and tremendous success.

“A majority of NIL deals target star recruits and players, so the opportunity to be a member of Degree’s #BreakingLimits team and receive financial support toward my college career is truly a life changing experience,” said Hubbard.