Degree® Clinical 5X Deodorant Defends Against Sweat at March Madness®

Basketball stars Chet Holmgren and Candace Parker partner with Degree to showcase the brand's clinical-strength protection for high-pressure moments.

Published on Mar. 10, 2026

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Degree® has teamed up with NBA Champion Chet Holmgren and 3-time WNBA Champion Candace Parker to promote its new Degree Clinical 5X deodorant, which delivers 96 hours of sweat and odor protection for intense, high-pressure situations like the NCAA March Madness tournament. The athletes, who have both experienced the pressure of championship-level competition, are showcasing how Degree Clinical 5X can help people stay confident and focused when the stakes are highest.

Why it matters

March Madness is one of the most emotionally charged sporting events of the year, and the intense pressure can lead to increased sweat and anxiety for both players and fans. Degree's partnership with Holmgren and Parker highlights how the brand's clinical-strength deodorant can help people stay composed and perform at their best, even in the most demanding moments.

The details

Degree Clinical 5X is designed to provide up to 96 hours of sweat and odor protection with 5 key benefits: odor control, stress sweat defense, wetness protection, long-lasting fragrance, and all-day freshness. The deodorant is available in a range of formats, including invisible solid sticks, dry sprays, and soft solids, to meet the needs of different consumers. Throughout the NCAA tournament, Degree will promote the partnership across social, digital, streaming, and retail channels, tapping into the high-intensity moments that fans experience.

  • The Degree Clinical 5X line is available nationwide at Walmart and Amazon, for an SRP of under $9 (sticks) and under $10 (sprays).

The players

Chet Holmgren

An NBA Champion who reached the NCAA Sweet 16 as a student-athlete, Holmgren is partnering with Degree to showcase how the brand's clinical-strength deodorant can help people stay confident and focused in high-pressure situations.

Candace Parker

A 3-time WNBA Champion and Broadcaster, Parker won two NCAA National Championships and earned two Most Outstanding Player (MOP) awards during her collegiate career. She is partnering with Degree to share how preparation and the right products can help people perform at their best under pressure.

Degree Deodorant

An official NCAA® corporate partner through its parent company Unilever, Degree is promoting its new Clinical 5X deodorant as the solution for staying confident and composed during the intense moments of March Madness and other high-pressure situations.

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What they’re saying

“High-stakes moments don't just happen on the court – they happen in living rooms, offices, restaurants on first dates, on the streets, and everywhere in between. March Madness is one of the most emotionally charged times of the year, and with that intensity comes sweat. Degree Clinical 5X delivers 96 hrs of sweat and odor defense when any kind of pressure peaks, so people can stay confident, focused, and in the moment.”

— Chris Symmes, Head of Marketing at Degree Deodorant (bakercityherald.com)

“I've played in games where every possession feels like it could decide the season. In those moments, you can't let the pressure distract you — you have to stay locked in and trust your preparation. Degree Clinical 5X is about that same mindset. When you know you're protected, you can focus on competing and letting your game speak for itself.”

— Chet Holmgren (bakercityherald.com)

“The biggest games — and the biggest moments — test your composure. I've learned that preparation is everything. Degree Clinical 5X is built for high-pressure situations, delivering the kind of protection that lets you focus on performing at your best instead of worrying about sweat.”

— Candace Parker (bakercityherald.com)

What’s next

Throughout the college basketball postseason, Degree will bring this partnership to life across social, digital, streaming, and in retail, tapping into the moments that fans feel the intensity most. From buzzer-beaters to long watch days and late-night games, Candace and Chet will show how Degree Clinical 5X performs when demands run high – wherever the pressure shows up.

The takeaway

Degree's partnership with basketball stars Chet Holmgren and Candace Parker highlights how the brand's new Clinical 5X deodorant can help people stay confident and focused during high-pressure moments, whether on the court or in everyday life. The clinical-strength protection provided by Degree Clinical 5X can be a game-changer for anyone looking to perform at their best when the stakes are highest.