ANTA Sports Products Limited, a leading branded sportswear enterprise in China is pleased to announce that it has signed NBA superstar Kevin Garnett as its second endorsed NBA player following Luis Scola in Beijing today. Kevin Garnett's list of sporting achievements includes the title of NBA Champion, and NBA Most Valuable Player, of both the regular season and the All-Star Game, as well as NBA Defensive Player of the Year. Kevin Garnett will kick off his China tour in Beijing, Xiamen and Shanghai where he will take part in a series of basketball events to mark the NBA's highest-paid and greatest power forward joining the family of ANTA Sports. The theme of the tour is “For Basketball. Choose China.”
Kevin Garnett is passionate about basketball. With innateness and hard work, he was able to join the NBA when he was in high school, making him one of the youngest players ever to have played in the NBA. At around seven feet tall, Kevin Garnett is one of the most outstanding all-around players. His amazing bounding, flexibility and dynamic performance on the court makes him one of the most feared players for opponents whether he is in the role of offense or defense. His excellent performance includes 4-time NBA regular-season leader of rebounds per game, and he is the only player in NBA history who averaged over 20 points and 10 rebounds per game for a consecutive nine seasons. With his determination, he has always dreamed of winning the NBA Championship, a dream that finally came true with his team, the Boston Celtics. His motto “Blood, Sweat and Tears” fits nicely with ANTA Sports' motto of “Keep Moving.”
To enhance the brand image, ANTA will pull together the best R&D resources to tailor the designated basketball shoes for Kevin Garnett that offer maximum performance, comfort and protection. In the upcoming NBA season Garnett will be competing in that pair of ANTA's basketball shoes impressively. In a gesture to thank the fans of Kevin Garnett for their support, ANTA Sports will launch a new “KG” basketball sportswear series, which carries a smart logo that reflects the unique characters of the series.
Ding Shizhong, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer said, “I would like to offer my warmest welcome to Kevin Garnett for his joining ANTA Sports as an endorsed player. Kevin Garnett has been successfully voted 11 times to be game starter for the forward position in the NBA All-Star Game. This is a strong proof of his enormous popularity in both the United States and China. Leveraging Kevin Garnett's worldwide popularity and influence in the sport, and with our extensive basketball resources and nationwide integrated marketing strategy, the joining of Kevin Garnett will no doubt help support the sustainability of the basketball industry in China, enhance our brand image, and bolster our leadership and competitiveness in the basketball market.”
There are 300 million basketball enthusiasts and participants in China. That is why ANTA Sports has always made the sport one of its key priorities for development. Since 2004 ANTA Sports has been the exclusive sponsor of sportswear and equipment for the Chinese Basketball Association. The Company has a number of up-and-coming endorsed players in the CBA. It also has major sponsorship resources with high popularity such as the Chinese University Basketball Association and the TV programme “HOOPARK.” With Kevin Garnett joining Luis Scola as our endorsed NBA players, ANTA Sports now has assembled the strongest portfolio of sponsorship and endorsement resources that include top-tier basketball leagues and endorsed players, which favours the sustainability of ANTA Sports' development in long term.
