Photo by: Meg Kelly
‘Give my all’ approach pays off for Porter with lucrative NIL deal
May 10, 2023 | Women's Basketball, Andy Baggot
Freshman guard recognized for her work ethic with spot on ‘Degree Walk-On Team’
BY ANDY BAGGOT
UWBadgers.com Insider
The notification came out of the blue, prompting Ronnie Porter to question its legitimacy.
A freshman guard for the University of Wisconsin women's basketball team, Porter received an online notice that said she'd been chosen to receive a name, image and likeness award of $25,000 from the makers of Degree deodorant to put toward a year of schooling.
"When I first got it, I was asking around, 'Is this real?''' Porter said.
Turns out it was.
Porter, from St. Paul, Minnesota, was one of five walk-ons from Division I men's and women's basketball programs chosen for the Degree Walk-On Team program, which also included a trip to the men's Final Four. Each grant is meant 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.
In addition to the money, 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 careers and post-graduate endeavors.
Porter, who has a full academic scholarship from UW, called the $25,000 a "stress reliever'' that will help her earn her degree faster.
A two-time all-state guard who played for her mother, Olonda England, at Como Park High School, Porter put up modest numbers as a rookie with the Badgers: 6.8 minutes and 1.5 points per game. But her impact was huge.
"I can't imagine not having her on the team and in the program now,'' UW coach Marisa Moseley said. "It's funny. When she got here she did not speak. You had to pull conversations out of her, but it was just a matter of her getting comfortable. From the moment she got comfortable here, she has connected with every single person on the team whether it's staff or team members. She has a wonderful sense of humor, but also is extremely observant and has a great feel for people.''
Porter is diligent and selfless, too.
"She's a really hard worker and has accepted her role in any capacity that's come,'' Moseley said. "She's started games for us. She's come off the bench. She's played no minutes. She keeps coming back to work each day and has a great attitude and way about her.''
Moseley said she didn't speak to anyone connected with the award process. So how did Porter get noticed?
"I give my all every time,'' Porter said. "I grew up knowing that everybody's watching. There's not a time when nobody's watching. This is a case where people were watching and I got noticed. They reached out and gave me a definite life-changer.''
What did Porter's mother think of the recognition?
"She's been a handful,'' Porter said with a laugh. "One day it's tears. One day she's giving me one of those 'I'm so proud of you.' speeches. The next it's 'OK, You've got to stay on top of this.'"
Porter said the $25,000 investment in her future has changed her in a good way.
"Everything I'm doing on the court is way more than I used to,'' she said. "People don't get something like this every day. I got it and I want to be grateful for it.''
UWBadgers.com Insider
The notification came out of the blue, prompting Ronnie Porter to question its legitimacy.
A freshman guard for the University of Wisconsin women's basketball team, Porter received an online notice that said she'd been chosen to receive a name, image and likeness award of $25,000 from the makers of Degree deodorant to put toward a year of schooling.
"When I first got it, I was asking around, 'Is this real?''' Porter said.
Turns out it was.
Porter, from St. Paul, Minnesota, was one of five walk-ons from Division I men's and women's basketball programs chosen for the Degree Walk-On Team program, which also included a trip to the men's Final Four. Each grant is meant 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.
I am proud to announce that I am officially part of the @Degree Walk-on Team! If you or someone you know is a walk-on playing college sports, use this link to nominate them to join the team for a chance to earn a $25K NIL deal! #DegreePartner #NotDoneYethttps://t.co/lr12Rx42vw pic.twitter.com/u5fW5CKqoQ
— ronnie porter (@ronniep134) March 9, 2023
In addition to the money, 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 careers and post-graduate endeavors.
Porter, who has a full academic scholarship from UW, called the $25,000 a "stress reliever'' that will help her earn her degree faster.
A two-time all-state guard who played for her mother, Olonda England, at Como Park High School, Porter put up modest numbers as a rookie with the Badgers: 6.8 minutes and 1.5 points per game. But her impact was huge.
"I can't imagine not having her on the team and in the program now,'' UW coach Marisa Moseley said. "It's funny. When she got here she did not speak. You had to pull conversations out of her, but it was just a matter of her getting comfortable. From the moment she got comfortable here, she has connected with every single person on the team whether it's staff or team members. She has a wonderful sense of humor, but also is extremely observant and has a great feel for people.''
Porter is diligent and selfless, too.
"She's a really hard worker and has accepted her role in any capacity that's come,'' Moseley said. "She's started games for us. She's come off the bench. She's played no minutes. She keeps coming back to work each day and has a great attitude and way about her.''
Moseley said she didn't speak to anyone connected with the award process. So how did Porter get noticed?
"I give my all every time,'' Porter said. "I grew up knowing that everybody's watching. There's not a time when nobody's watching. This is a case where people were watching and I got noticed. They reached out and gave me a definite life-changer.''
What did Porter's mother think of the recognition?
"She's been a handful,'' Porter said with a laugh. "One day it's tears. One day she's giving me one of those 'I'm so proud of you.' speeches. The next it's 'OK, You've got to stay on top of this.'"
Porter said the $25,000 investment in her future has changed her in a good way.
"Everything I'm doing on the court is way more than I used to,'' she said. "People don't get something like this every day. I got it and I want to be grateful for it.''
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