"In many ways, this is a dream come true for me to join a brand that is having such an impact on sport, culture and community," said rising basketball star Aaliyah Crump.
Klutch Athletics by New Balance has signed its first high school NIL athlete, who is also the brand’s first female ambassador: Aaliyah Crump.
Crump’s career in basketball may be young, but she is already quite accomplished. The hooper won a gold medal with the USA Basketball Women’s U16 National Team at the 2023 FIBA Women’s U16 Americas Championship, and she is the No. 1 ranked player in Minnesota for the Class of 2025 by Prep Girls Hoops. (Crump is ranked No. 6 in the U.S. in the espnW Rankings Class of 2025.)
What’s more, Crump, a 6-foot-1 junior guard for Minnetonka High in Minnetonka, Minn., is currently averaging 27 points, 10 rebounds and 5 steals per game this season.
Crump is the latest athlete to join Klutch Athletics by New Balance, the sportswear brand founded by Klutch Sports Group founder and agent Rich Paul that was revealed in February. Most recently, Klutch Athletics by New Balance signed University of Kentucky men’s basketball player Justin Edwards in November, and in April, the brand signed its first athlete, NFL star Chase Young.
“This is an exciting moment for Klutch Athletics, welcoming Aaliyah as the first high school player and first female athlete to join our roster,” Paul said in a statement. “We’ve said from the beginning that we want to uplift and empower athletes across gender and sport, and adding an exceptional young talent like Aaliyah certainly helps advance that mission. She has a bright future ahead, and we look forward to supporting her journey with her team and in her community.”
About Klutch Athletics
Klutch Athletics is a modern, versatile sportswear brand for the next generation. Founded by Rich Paul, the brand features a collection that is engineered for sport and designed for life, ranging from everyday staples to elevated performance. Serving the athlete-minded and the communities where they live and play, Klutch Athletics celebrates the intersection of sports, culture and community.
About New Balance
New Balance, headquartered in Boston, MA, has the following purpose: Independent since 1906, we empower people through sport and craftsmanship to create positive change in communities around the world. New Balance employs 9,000 associates around the globe, and in 2023 reported worldwide sales of $6.5 billion. New Balance owns five athletic footwear factories in New England and one in Flimby, U.K. New Balance MADE U.S. footwear contains a domestic value of 70% or more and makes up a limited portion of New Balance’s U.S. sales. To learn more about New Balance, please visit www.newbalance.com; for the latest press information visit http://newbalance.newsmarket.com.