The rising player inks his first endorsement deal!
Although the Los Angeles Lakers took a gamble with passing up on Jahlil Okafor with the no. 3 overall pick in last month’s draft, the D’Angelo Russell project seems to have early potential – judging from his flashes during summer league play this month. The former Ohio State star guard was the latest athlete conveyed this summer from various athletic footwear and apparel companies and made his first business decision as a new professional player. Over the weekend, Russell took to social and told the world “Just Do It,” announcing he had signed his first endorsement deal with Nike, Inc. Just last month, it was revealed that the league would be leaving Adidas after to the 2017 season, in a new 8-year, $1 billion apparel partnership with Nike.
At the moment, the athletic apparel giant only has four signature shoes in the NBA for Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving; but Russell will be looking to become the next player over the course of the next few years for his own collection.
It's official NIKE! #JustDoIt ✔️✔️✔️✔️
— D'Angelo Russell (@Dloading) July 17, 2015
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