Zion Williamson, the top pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, has signed a deal with the Jordan Brand, Nike announced Tuesday.
Williamson, who starred at Duke University, was the number one pick in the 2019 NBA Draft and joined the New Orleans Pelicans. Seen by many as the most highly-touted prospect to enter the NBA since LeBron James, Williamson was also being actively pursued by Puma, according to reports.
Williamson joins a roster of 50-plus athletes across multiple sports as a member of Jordan Brand’s hardwood roster.
“I feel incredibly blessed to be a part of the Jordan Brand family,” Williamson said. “Since I was a kid, I dreamed of making it to the league and having the type of impact on the game Michael Jordan had and continues to have today. He was one of those special athletes I looked up to, and I really can’t express how happy and excited I am for this journey.”
Williamson’s addition caps a summer full of new talent joining Jordan Brand, including Jayson Tatum, Rui Hachimura, WNBA players Asia Durr and Kia Nurse and NFL rookie quarterback Dwayne Haskins.
“We’re excited to welcome Zion to the Jordan Brand,” said Craig Williams, Jordan Brand president. “It’s incredible to watch him play the game with unbridled passion and joy and we look forward to building our relationship with him for many years to come.”
Here’s what Michael Jordan and Howard White, VP Jordan Brand Affairs, said about Williamson:
“Zion’s incredible determination, character and play are inspiring,” Jordan said. “He’s an essential part of the new talent that will help lead the brand into the future. He told us he would ‘shock the world,’ and asked us to believe him. We do.”
“Over the last 34 years we’ve built an incredible roster of talent with the same determination and greatness as MJ,” White added. “There is something special about Zion that reminds me of MJ when he was younger.”
Photo courtesy Nike
