A 17-year-old Black student, Bryson Warren, has been paid $100,000 a year to play high school basketball.
According to news reports, Warren has been earning his salary via a New York-based company, Overtime Elite. He became part of the company’s first class of high school athletes in 2021, as it would recruit exceptional teenage basketball players from across the globe to play at its Atlanta academy.
Overtime athletes have reportedly been required to attend classes and study for a diploma while competing against each other and other high school basketball players around the U.S. Each current player was offered a base annual salary of $100,000 with on-court performance bonuses that could increase to above $1 million.
“Not too many 17-, 18-, 19-year-olds can say they made at least $100K,” Warren reportedly said. “We’re just really getting a head start on life, just playing the game we love.”
He added that his ultimate goal is to get drafted by the NBA.
“My goal once the program ends is definitely just to get drafted [in the NBA]. That’s everybody’s goal here.”
The teen also expressed that he enjoyed one of his Overtime classes: a financial literacy course.
“They’re teaching us who to have in your circle [of friends and family] and stuff, just keeping your circle small,” he said. “[Six-time NBA All-Star] Tony Parker came in and talked to us [and] he told us it’s not about who you say ‘Yes’ to, it’s who you say ‘No’ to.”
The Little Rock, Arkansas native was ranked as the No. 14 basketball prospect in ESPN’s Class of 2023. Since the age of 14, he’s received numerous offers from prestigious athletic programs and eventually became the eighth five-star recruit to sign with his current upstart league. As of late, he has been one of the top guard prospects in his class.
Warren reportedly said he planned to put his basketball success to good use, as he dreamed of contributing to his hometown. He has been investing a portion of his Overtime salary into a local co-educational AAU basketball team there, which would assist children in second grade up to sixth grade.
His good deed was inspired by his idol, NBA star Lebron James, who opened a public elementary school in his hometown of Akron, Ohio in 2018.
“Everyone doesn’t do that, just him willing to give back and starting a school for free,” Warren said.
He added that he’s been satisfied with Overtime thus far.
“You could see Overtime as a risk, or you can see it as an opportunity. This is the opportunity I chose, and it’s the one I’m going to live with, and I’m at peace now.”
