It was in the middle of his first round match at the Stockton Junior Tennis Championships in 2015 when he was noticed by a professional and offered a sponsorship. Since then, freshman Evan Yu has represented the sporting equipment brand Wilson.

Athletic sponsorships can come from anywhere, not just on the track, gym, field or court. Sophomore Jacob Kokeny, for example, plays for Kali Baseball, a travel organization aimed at mentoring select high school baseball prospects. Along with coaching and mentoring its players, the organization provides a multitude of sponsorships from sporting brands such as Rawlings and Under Armour. Meanwhile, badminton player junior Ethan Low received his sponsorship from sporting equipment brand Yonex by boosting his national ranking through tournaments and applying for the sponsorship through a form provided by his training club, Bintang.

Through sponsorships like these, gifted athletes are given free or discounted equipment and apparel to represent the face of the brand. However, aside from the material benefits, sponsorships can also motivate athletes to improve their performance, as they are reminded of the reason for which they were selected. Additionally, for Kali Baseball recruits and athletes of similar organizations, being sponsored can provide them with more opportunities to be recognized by colleges.

Take a look at the infographic below to learn more about these athletes’ various sponsorships.