College Basketball Stars Turned Pro Wrestlers? What’s Next For The Cavinder Twins
Twins Haley and Hanna Cavinder are no strangers to the spotlight. They are pretty much the faces of women's basketball at Fresno State! Signing endorsement deals through the NCAA, the twins received an unexpected offer from a well-known entertainment company in the sporting world.
The company wants the twins to join their "Next In Line" program. Keep reading to find out who is interested in making the Cavinder twins superstars with epic storylines.
The Twins Hometown: South Bend, Indiana
Haley and Hanna Cavinder were born in South Bend, Indiana, but grew up with their other siblings, Brandi, Natalie, and Brooke, in the Pheonix, Arizona suburb of Gilbert.
As young girls, the twins had a very normal upbringing, joining youth sports and hanging out with their friends and family. But there was one sport that caught both of their attention: basketball.
Basketball Is In Their Blood
Haley and Hanna's father, Tom, was a collegiate athlete playing basketball for Nova Southeastern University. With a baller in the family, it was only a matter of time before the girls began to play.
And the twins did, all the way into high school. That was just the beginning.
They Were Successful High School Athletes
Of course, while all parents want to see their children excel in life, the Cavinder's were able to witness it first hand. In high school, Haley and Hanna were star athletes. While Haley averaged 21.8 points a game as a senior, Hanna scored an average of 18.3.
That's not too shabby for basketball players who are only five feet six inches!
A Scholarship To Fresno State
While Haley was a slightly stronger player than Hanna playing high school ball, they were both good enough to receive a fantastic offer their senior year. The twins were each offered a scholarship to play basketball at the collegiate level for Fresno State University in California.
It was a dream come true for the two athletes.
They Were Ready To Play In College
Sadly, Fresno State doesn't have the best track record when it comes to its women's basketball program. Still, the twins were eager to join the team, believing their skill set would be a vital asset.
As it turns out, they were right, especially when it came to one of their performances on the court freshman year.
Haley Was A Star player Right Away
It isn't entirely common for a freshman to get floor time, but Haley proved to be a star. In the Mountain West Conference, she was honored as the Freshman of the Year, thanks to her record of most points and rebounds for a first-year player.
It wasn't long after she was named an all-conference selection that Haley began amassing a huge social media following.
Hanna Dominated Her Sophmore Year
On the other hand, Hanna wasn't a standout player until she began dominating the court as a sophomore. That year, she became the second-leading scorer on the team, right behind her twin sister.
The Cavinder sisters were huge names on the Fresno State campus. And soon, they would find other opportunities being tossed their way.
Both Were Gaining A Following
Even people who didn't attend Fresno State were beginning to learn about the Cavinder twins. Their social media presence is quite large, which each girl having well over 350,000 followers on Instagram alone.
They were both getting a lot of publicity on their own terms. Then, they banded together and created a TikTok account.
Something Happened In 2021
Haley and Hanna decided to create a TikTok account together, one that has already amassed over three million followers! On their channel, the twins do funny impressions, dances, and skits.
But it was a change when the NCAA rules for student-athletes in July of 2021 that made them into superstar trendsetters.
Endorsement Deals Were Now On The Table
In July of 2021, the NCAA ruled that collegiate athletes could profit off their name and likeness, earning money through endorsement deals (known as the NIL).
Popular both on and off the court, it was only a matter of time before the Cavinder twins took advantage of the new rule.
Two Deals Came Through For The Twins
In fact, two well-known companies reached out to the twins right away: the telecommunications company Boost Mobile and Six Star Pro Nutrition. In fact, the former deal was the first in NIL history!
It was a great deal for the twins, as they were able to earn money while being student-athletes.
ESPN Ran A Story
While the two deals were too good to be true, it was just the beginning for Haley and Hanna. Soon after the NCAA made the rule, ESPN did a story. The Cavinder twins were involved, giving them a whole lot of press.
It was this press that soon had an entertainment company calling the twins.
Were They "Next In Line?"
Soon after the NIL, the WWE decided it wanted to capitalize on the opportunity, creating a program called "Next in Line." The whole idea was to train college athletes to become some of the next big WWE superstar performers.
And the superstar himself, Triple H, had a lot to say about the new program.
Triple H Wanted To Bring In Student-Athletes
On the WWE's official website, Triple H said, "The WWE NIL program has the potential to be transformational to our business."
"By creating partnerships with elite athletes at all levels across a wide variety of college sports, we will dramatically expand our pool of talent and create a system that readies NCAA competitors for WWE once their collegiate careers come to a close."
It Was All About A Character
The idea was to train a new generation of WWE performers, getting them comfortable on a microphone as a character and in the ring as a wrestler. It was a whole new world for those who grew up playing basketball, like the Cavinder twins.
At the end of the training, those who seem like a good fit with the company would be offered a deal.
Their Name Was On The Roster
Soon after WWE announced the program, a roster was released. On it was numerous football and basketball players. There were even some track and field stars who were invited to participate.
But the two most notable names on the WWE's "Next In Line" roster were none other than Haley and Hanna Cavinder.
Not The Only Twins In The Business
WWE fans might remember Nikki and Brie, aka The Bella Twins. They were popular and hot commodities in the WWE world. In fact, even though they are retired from the ring, they still are, thanks to their social media presence!
It would make sense for the company to capitalize off another set of up-and-coming twins!
It Is Not An Easy Job
Growing up, Haley and Hanna played basketball. The sport is a far cry from the intense performances put on in a WWE ring. Not only that but they would be expected to train hard and be on the road almost year-round, leaving little time for friends and family.
Was it something the twins were ready for after college?
A Far Cry From Basketball
The rough schedule isn't the only aspect of WWE life the twins have to think about. The life of a professional wrestler is not easy on one's body. Life-threatening injuries are, sadly, part of the deal.
It is definitely a far cry from life on a basketball court where no fighting is involved (or even allowed!)
Gifted Athletes
Haley and Hanna have been pushing boundaries their whole lives. While it is hard for an athlete to get a scholarship to college, it is beyond difficult for two people from the same family to get one to a Division I school!
Not only that, the twins jumped right into NIL deals. So, when will they start with the WWE?
They're Not Ready To Say Goodbye To Basketball Yet
As of 2022, Haley and Hanna are Juniors at Fresno State and continue to play basketball for the Bulldogs. The top-two leading scorers on the team, it doesn't look as though the twins are ready to trade in their jerseys quite yet.
On top of that, they still have their endorsement deals, something that will disappear if they choose to stop playing.
They'll Soon Be Ready For The Ring
With news of their NIL deal with the WWE and various other companies such as Boost Mobile and Six Star Pro Nutrition, Haley and Hanna are quickly becoming household names.
It is only a matter of time before people see them on television in the ring with some cool new characters!
