The discussion about top WBB players remaining in college for a 5th year or going to the WNBA has been raging for several years now. NIL has been a critical factor, with a number of players rumored to be earning 7 figure incomes in college. As of right now, Paige has committed to return. Clark, Brink and Reese have all been noncommittal. But it would not surprise me if all 3 returned for a 5th season.
Foreign born players face a much different situation. They are in the US on student visas, which significantly limit any potential compensation in the US. Aaliyah’s deal with Adidas Canada means she can be compensated in Canada while playing in the US.
Whatever her deal is with Adidas, we have no idea whether Aaliyah would prefer to “live life as an adult” or spend one more year with her friends and teammates at UConn, making one more run at a national championship, while getting paid to do so.
Whether she’s in college or the pros, Aaliyah will be a member of the Canadian Olympic team this summer. Finally, the 2024 top rookie salary in the WNBA for draft picks 1-4 is $76,000, far less than she’ll make from NIL.