Memphis Grizzlies rookie forward Jaren Jackson Jr. has reportedly agreed to a multi-year deal footwear and apparel deal with Nike, joining fellow rookies Luka Doncic and Collin Sexton, whom have also signed on with The Swoosh. According to ESPN's Nick DePaula, Jackson's strong showing in helping the Grizzlies reach the semifinals during the summer league in Las Vegas earned him the multiyear Nike offer.
The fourth overall selection in the June Draft, Jackson had been rocking both Nike and Adidas sneakers throughout the Summer as he showed off his versatility as a 6'11 forward that can get it done on both ends of the floor. Among the notable sneakers he laced up during the summer was the Nike KD 11, a sneaker that not even Kevin Durant had worn on the court at the time.
While Nike's status as the preferred brand for basketball players (according to DePaula, Nike still outfits more than 65% of players in the NBA), others have made strides in recent years, including PUMA basketball, which resurfaced this year with several big name additions. In it's first year back in the basketball space after a 20-year hiatus, Puma signed the #1 overall pick DeAndre Ayton, the #2 overall pick Marvin Bagley III, Michael Porter Jr, and Zhaire Smith, as well as Boston Celtics point guard Terry Rozier and veteran forward Rudy Gay.
Meanwhile, Adidas has signed two electric rookie guards to their growing roster - the Atlanta Hawks' Trae Young and San Antonio Spurs' Lonnie Walker IV.
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