Fri Mar 21 23:20:00 UTC 2025: ## Marquette Coach Defies Trend, Rejects Agents for Players Amidst NIL Success

**NEW YORK, NY** – Marquette University’s basketball program, currently ranked No. 25 nationally, is bucking a major trend in college basketball: they’re not working with agents. Coach Shaka Smart has reportedly refused to negotiate with agents representing his players, a highly unusual stance in the age of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals.

While nearly every first-round NBA draft prospect utilizes an agent, Marquette players, including star guard Kam Jones, list Coach Smart himself as their agent on social media. A source familiar with the program’s NIL strategy revealed that Smart argues agents won’t secure better deals within Marquette’s limited budget, only taking commissions. The university, a private Catholic institution without a football team, has a smaller NIL budget than many other power conference schools. Despite a recent $3 million donation from alumnus Dwyane Wade (primarily for facilities, not directly for NIL), the program operates differently.

Every scholarship player is affiliated with the school’s collective, Be The Difference NIL. This approach contrasts sharply with the widespread use of the transfer portal, which Marquette hasn’t utilized in three years. Coach Smart’s strategy, while unconventional, appears to be working: Marquette enjoyed its first Sweet 16 appearance in a decade last year and is projected as an NCAA tournament team.

Legal experts express skepticism, with seasoned NIL attorney Darren Heitner stating it’s virtually impossible another top-25 team operates similarly. He also raised concerns about the potential legal ramifications of refusing to deal with a player’s existing agent. While Smart has allowed players like Tyler Kolek to use agents for specific brand deals, his overall resistance to agent involvement is unprecedented at this level.

The unique approach, while praised by players for its stability, stands in stark contrast to the prevalent landscape of college basketball. The success of Marquette’s model, however, remains to be seen, especially as players like Jones, a Wooden Award finalist projected as a first-round pick, will likely need to hire an agent for the NBA draft.

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