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UVA's Kymora Johnson Partners With Local McDonald's Franchises

The UVA women's basketball freshman guard and Charlottesville native is the fourth Virginia athlete to sign with local McDonald's franchises

Matt Newton

UVA's Kymora Johnson Partners With Local McDonald's Franchises
UVA's Kymora Johnson Partners With Local McDonald's Franchises /

It'll still be a few months before Kymora Johnson sets foot on the floor at John Paul Jones Arena for her first collegiate basketball game, but the Charlottesville hoops legend has already begun to make a name for herself off the floor. The incoming freshman guard for the Virginia women's basketball team became the latest UVA athlete to sign with local McDonald's franchises owned and operated by RAHE, Inc, a partnership that was announced on Thursday afternoon. 

It's a fitting partnership for multiple reasons, as Johnson was one of just 24 players selected to play in the McDonald's All-American High School Basketball Game last March. Johnson, who enjoyed a decorated playing career at St. Anne's-Belfield in Charlottesville, will continue to have an impact in the Charlottesville community through various promotional events involving the local McDonald's franchises and the Ronald McDonald House. 

“I cannot wait to get more involved in the Charlottesville community and I think this partnership with McDonald's and the Ronald McDonald House is an amazing way to get started,” Johnson said. “I am so excited for my first year at UVA and this is the perfect way to kick it off.” 

This is the first major NIL sponsorship deal for Johnson negotiated through Cav Futures, UVA's alumni-driven NIL collective. Johnson will promote her favorite combo meal and favorite menu item (McDonald's Sweet Tea) at participating locations in Charlottesville and the Shenandoah Valley. 

“Cav Futures is incredibly excited to continue our relationship with RAHE and have Kymora involved in the NIL scene early in her UVA career," said Lo Davis, Executive Director of Cav Futures. "I am looking forward to seeing what she can do on the court but also am thrilled to have her as a part of the Cav Futures team." 

Davis is not alone in expressing excitement to see what the future holds for Johnson when she begins her collegiate career with the UVA women's basketball program. Ever since her commitment to the Cavaliers last September, excitement has been brewing to see Johnson, a five-star recruit and two-time Virginia Gatorade Player of the Year, but most importantly, a hometown product from Charlottesville, dawn the orange and blue to represent the University of Virginia on the basketball court. 

See more Virginia women's basketball news and content: Virginia Women's Basketball on Sports Illustrated

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Matt Newton
MATT NEWTON

Matt launched Virginia Cavaliers On SI in August of 2021 and has since served as the site's publisher and managing editor, covering all 23 NCAA Division I sports teams at the University of Virginia. He is from Downingtown, Pennsylvania and graduated from UVA in May of 2021.