Nike continues their masterclass in the NBA, their skill in tying down players to shoe contracts in basketball continues to multiply tremendously. The company recently announced a new rookie class of 13 players, which features seven of this year’s top 10 draft picks.
The most anticipated player since LeBron James, according to pick order from this year’s packed NBA Draft, is Victor Wembanyama. The 7’4″ big man has already wowed onlookers with his adaptability, which allows him to block centers on one end of the court while draining threes on the other.
BREAKING: Nike has signed 13 NBA rookies to shoe deals. 📄✍️
Full class includes:
• Victor Wembanyama – San Antonio Spurs
• Brandon Miller – Charlotte Hornets
• Amen Thompson – Houston Rockets
• Ausar Thompson – Detroit Pistons
• Anthony Black – Orlando Magic
• Kobe… pic.twitter.com/S6fqqXSQjP— Nick DePaula (@NickDePaula) October 23, 2023
Brandon Miller, the second overall pick in the draft, has also been signed and is expected to play a significant role in leading the youthful Charlotte Hornets club. Following their dominance in the Overtime Elite competition, the Thompson twins Amen and Ausar have both solidified their relationship with the Swoosh. Anthony Black, Bilal Coulibaly, Cason Wallace, Dereck Lively II, Jordan Hawkins, Keyonte George, Olivier-Maxence Prosper, Julian Strawther, and Kobe Brown make up the rest of the rookie class.
On the other hand, Nike lost one of the upcoming stars Scoot Henderson to their direct rival PUMA. A rising list of young, skilled players, including LaMelo Ball, Breanna Stewart, Deandre Ayton, Jackie Young, RJ Barrett, NaLyssa Smith, and others, joins the 6-foot-3 Henderson in the PUMA Hoops lineup.
FIRST LOOK: Blazers PG Scoot Henderson debuts his first signature shoe — the Puma Scoot Zeros@thereal013 will become just the 7th player in NBA league history to wear a signature shoe in their rookie debut game. pic.twitter.com/U4lQMHxBiG
— Nick DePaula (@NickDePaula) October 2, 2023
“I am beyond grateful for my partnership with PUMA,” said Henderson. “PUMA knows there is no ceiling to my game. They believe in what my family and I have planned for this journey.”
In 2018, PUMA made a comeback in the world of basketball, fusing the sport with culture and introducing a fresh crop of basketball players noted for their skill and coolness both on and off the court, they were determined to sign huge stars and prospects, and make a statement in the NBA.
Leading the #0DD movement.
Welcome to the @PUMA Fam Scoot Henderson 🐾 pic.twitter.com/AM4bBmcbn4
— PUMA Basketball (@PUMAHoops) June 15, 2022
Henderson, a five-star recruit on the NBA G League Ignite roster who finished high school a year and a half early, will be featured in upcoming PUMA campaigns, product launches, and social content creation to inspire the next generation of young athletes in an innovative and unexpected way.
Nike has signed 13 rookies to shoe deals this year
Nike revealed its latest batch of NBA signees, topped by the No. 1 pick and forward for the San Antonio Spurs, Victor Wembanyama, and the No. 2 pick, forward for the Charlotte Hornets, Brandon Miller. The whole list of rookies signed by Nike for this year is as follows:
• Victor Wembanyama – San Antonio Spurs
• Brandon Miller – Charlotte Hornets
• Amen Thompson – Houston Rockets
• Ausar Thompson – Detroit Pistons
• Anthony Black – Orlando Magic
• Kobe Brown – LA Clippers
• Bilal Coulibaly – Washington Wizards
• Keyonte George – Utah Jazz
• Jordan Hawkins – New Orleans Pelicans
• Dereck Lively II – Dallas Mavericks
• Olivier-Maxence Prosper – Dallas Mavericks
• Julian Strawther – Denver Nuggets
• Cason Wallace – OKC Thunder
It will be intriguing for these rookies as well as their fans to watch them perform on the court. Nike has invested in them heavily as they do in bright talents but this year’s rookies are said to be special. Throughout the NBA 2023–24 season, expect to see each of these bright young rookies sporting Nike Basketball shoes and taking center stage in the decorated league.
There will always be rivals for Nike. After Sketchers who rivaled Nike for Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid, they became the most recent sportswear business trying to expand its basketball presence. However, the 2023 rookie class demonstrated how Nike arguably still has the #1 spot.