LAKE CHARLES, La. (KPLC)— Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) is beginning to become a regular term in amateur sports. It has already grown exponentially at the college level, and now you are starting to see NIL deals within the high school ranks as well.

Shaquille Adams is the owner of Skills Lab, a youth sports training company, and over the years he has become more invested in helping young athletes earn NIL opportunities. While NIL at the high school level is not a regular thing quite yet, Adams believes it will become a regular process in the future.

“I definitely think it will become more of a thing because these kids work hard to get where they want to go,” said Shaquille. Awarding these kids and letting them know that their hard work not going unnoticed would be a great thing for students at Washington-Marion, Iowa, Lagrange, or any surrounding schools in the area.”

One of the athletes in Lake Charles who has an NIL deal is Iowa football player J’vien Adams. J’vien signed a deal with Skills Labs recently, and he believes that opportunities like this will help student-athletes grow and gain more recognition for what they do.

“It’s a big deal because with NIL deals, you’re bringing more attention to your name, and that’s exactly what these young athletes need to get to college,” said J’vien. “A lot of young athletes are getting overlooked, but with the NIL deals, I feel we will get the attention we need to bring us to that next level.”

“Me growing up now and becoming a little bit older, that’s exactly why I want to do this and be in this area,” said Shaquille. “Louisiana has a lot of great athletes great and tremendous athletes around this area.”

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