Former Duke star Kyrie Irving became the only NBA rookie other than Kemba Walker to sign a shoe deal. Irving, the No. 1 pick in June’s NBA Draft, selected by the Cleveland Cavaliers, announced via Twitter that he had signed with Nike Basketball.
Feels good to officially be apart of @nikebasketball!, Irving tweeted. Cant wait to meet all the family Im going to be apart of. Dreams really do come true!”
The signing should set up an interesting competition with rival Under Armour, which has clearly made the establishment of its basketball footwear line a top priority. Under Armour announced recently it had signed the Bobcats Walker to a footwear deal.
Rookie signings have been few and far between as the NBA finds itself in the midst of a lockout that many think could last deep into the 2011-2012 season.
Because of their pedigrees and success in college, Walker and Irving were likely seen as cant miss prospects by UA and Nike, respectively, but other top draft picks – Derrick Williams of the Timberwolves, Brandon Knight (Pistons) and Jimmer Fredette (Bucks) – remain without endorsement deals.
