As the Washington Huskies’ new basketball coach Danny Sprinkle is attempting to put together his roster for the 2024-25 season, one of the most important pieces is five-star point guard Zoom Diallo. Diallo, a product of Tacoma who played his senior season at Prolific Prep in Napa, California, has not announced his intentions to decommit and look for another school but did sign an NIL deal on Monday.
The nation’s No. 35 overall player in the 2024 class according to 247 Sports is one of six freshmen that signed a deal with trading card company Panini America on Monday. Known for its popular sets like National Treasures, Prizm, and Flawless, Diallo joins North Carolina commit Ian Jackson, Arizona commit Carter Bryant, and four others with Panini.
“We are excited to add these top basketball players making them part of the Panini Family,” Senior Vice President of Marketing and Athlete Relations Jason Howarth said in a statement. “Collaborating with this latest class of top basketball prospects emphasizes our commitment to celebrating young talent. We know fans will be excited to see their most memorable moments on Panini products throughout the next few years.”
This isn’t the first time Panini has dipped into Washington to sign athletes to NIL deals, as the trading card company also signed quarterback Michael Penix Jr. and wide receiver Rome Odunze in 2023.
ESPN 100 Zoom Diallo on staying home, Coach Mike Hopkins, where he can improve the most and a possible NIL deal!! #ESPNU @r2rzoom | @ESPN_Schick pic.twitter.com/JqXoRkzLmk
— Paul Biancardi (@PaulBiancardi) December 28, 2023