Monroe’s Kie’Aundria Acree lands NIL deal with PUMA

ALBANY — Long before Kie’Aundria Acree became Monroe High School’s “PUMA girl,” she was simply a young player in Albany with a basketball in her hands, a fierce competitive streak and dreams that stretched far beyond South Georgia.

Now one of the world’s largest athletic brands is betting on those dreams too.

The rising Monroe senior has signed a Name, Image and Likeness deal with PUMA, becoming part of the company’s first-ever high school basketball NIL class — a select national group featuring some of the country’s top rising stars.

Acree, known throughout Southwest Georgia as “KJ,” is the only athlete from Georgia chosen for the inaugural class. The Monroe standout will travel to Boston this summer as part of the partnership and will help promote the PUMA basketball brand through social media and marketing opportunities.

“We are so grateful. KJ is very thankful to be included in this first group of high school athletes to be chosen,” Monroe girls basketball coach Jennifer Acree said.

“There’s so much talent in South Georgia, but sometimes our kids don’t always get seen the same way as athletes in larger markets,” Jennifer Acree said. “For KJ to be recognized by a global brand like PUMA says a lot about the work she’s put in over the years. Hopefully, other young athletes around here see this and understand they can reach that level too.”

Jennifer Acree smiled while talking about her daughter’s newest nickname.

“I call her my PUMA girl,” she said.

The announcement is the latest milestone for a player who has rapidly become one of the biggest names in Georgia girls basketball.

Acree led Monroe to a 27-4 record and a berth in the Class AAA Final Four during the 2025-26 season while putting together staggering numbers night after night. The explosive guard averaged 30.6 points, 12 rebounds, six assists and four blocks per game while finishing as the leading scorer in Georgia girls basketball.

Opponents threw double teams, traps and constant defensive attention at Acree throughout the season, but few found a way to slow her down. Her relentless style, competitive fire and ability to take over games helped transform Monroe into one of the state’s most dangerous teams.

Her combination of production, athleticism and growing national profile helped place her among seven players selected nationwide for PUMA’s inaugural NIL basketball class.

The group also includes Sydney Douglas, De’Andra Minor, Kamora “Momo” Moore, Zion Green, Evan Willis and Howard Williams — nationally recognized prospects viewed as some of the future faces of the sport.

According to PUMA, the class represents “the next generation of the game” and reflects the company’s growing investment in grassroots basketball through the NXTPRO and PRO16 circuits.

“The new NIL class represents the future of basketball, and we’re proud to support them as they take the next step in their journey,” said Archie McEachern, PUMA’s Vice President of Basketball.

For Monroe, the national recognition surrounding Acree continues to shine a spotlight on a program that has steadily climbed among Georgia’s elite under Jennifer Acree.

But despite the NIL deals, social media attention and national exposure, one dream still matters most to Kie’Aundria Acree.

A state championship for Monroe High School.

The Lady Nadas return to the court June 1 as summer workouts begin for another season filled with expectations. After falling short of the title during last year’s Final Four run, Monroe returns one of the nation’s most dynamic players with hopes of bringing a championship trophy back to Albany.

And somewhere between Albany and Boston, Monroe’s “PUMA girl” is proving that basketball talent from South Georgia no longer has to wait to be noticed.