Giannis Antetokounmpo knows what it’s like to be doubted. He knows what it’s like to have the odds stacked up against you. That’s why the two-time NBA MVP teamed up with Degree Deodorant® to celebrate five student-athletes that have made a career out of proving their doubters wrong.
The Campaign
- Five walk-ons to receive $25,000 NIL deal
- Join the 33 other student-athletes on the Degree Breaking Limits team
The Degree Walk On campaign recognizes five college basketball walk-on student-athletes who are pushing through barriers to achieve the collegiate athletic experience they always wanted.
Each walk-on received a $25,000 NIL deal to cover the costs and living expenses for one year of college. A professional mentor from Degree’s parent company, Unilever, will serve as a guide to each student-athlete as they navigate their remaining college years and post-graduation success.
Four of the walk-ons were announced at the launch of the campaign in early March, with Antetokounmpo stepping in to announce a nationwide search to find a fifth walk-on to join this Degree roster. Fans had the opportunity to nominate individuals by sharing their walk-on stories.
The fifth walk-on was revealed during the Men’s Final Four weekend in Houston.
The Athletes
- Andre Johnson Jr., University of Connecticut Men’s Basketball
- Lauren Zwetzig, University of Notre Dame Women’s Basketball
- Ronnie Porter, University of Wisconsin Women’s Basketball
- Spencer Hubbard, Duke University Men’s Basketball
- Brayden Reynolds, Fairleigh Dickinson University Men’s Basketball (fan-nominated)
Athletes posted to Instagram announcing their Degree partnership and then followed that with a day-in-the-life of a student-athlete Instagram reel.
The Support
The five walk-ons join the 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.
To increase awareness of the walk-on nomination, several former Breaking Limits partners joined in on Instagram.
- Edriss Ndiaye, Ohio State University Fencing
- Caroline Ducharme, University of Connecticut Women’s Basketball
- Abraham Montano, Fresno State Football
The Walk On campaign is part of Degree’s larger brand mission to inspire the confidence to break barriers. Degree has committed more than $5 million over the last five years to inspire more people to move beyond their limits as part of its broader global Breaking Limits program.
