Natalia Chavez’s college basketball career officially began Monday – the first day of fall practice for the University of New Mexico women’s team.
Her first national NIL deal was announced Tuesday.
Chavez, a 5-foot-10 freshman guard best known around New Mexico for helping lead Volcano Vista High School to back-to-back state basketball championships, scored a national name, image, licensing agreement with Degree Deodorant. Chavez is part of Degree’s Year 2 NIL #BreakingLimits Team.
“It’s a great feeling,” Chavez said after the Lobos’ practiced Tuesday at the Davalos Basketball Center. “I was surprised I got it, coming from the (Cochiti) reservation and just being from New Mexico.