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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Kristian Dyer

Just Do It: 13-year old soccer phenom Mak Whitham signs Nike NIL deal

At an age when many of her friends are hoping to sneak into a PG-13 movie, McKenna ‘Mak’ Whitham is making history by signing a Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) deal with Nike.

The soccer standout from California is considered a generational talent. The 13-year-old is already a part of the U15 United States National Team. A forward, Whitham has a very bright future and also stars at the club level for Slammers FC (who have a very interesting developmental partnership with Danish club side HB Køge).

On a side note, do PG-13 movies still exist?

The pacey forward is very technical, with impressive control. In the open field, even when opening up her stride, she keeps the ball close to her feet.

She is a strong finisher with a high work rate.

The NIL deal sees Whitham become the youngest-ever athlete to sign with Nike.

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Whitham is as impressive of a high school prospect as has emerged from the youth soccer ranks in the United States in probably two decades.

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