Former Oklahoma Sooner Trae Young and former Miami Hurricane Lonnie Walker IV have become the latest future draftees to sign a shoe deal prior to the 2018 NBA Draft, as the pair of projected lottery picks latched on with Adidas Tuesday morning, according to Darren Rovell of ESPN:
JUST IN: Adidas has signed Trae Young and Lonnie Walker IV.
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) June 19, 2018
This news comes following the reported deals Arizona star and projected number one overall pick DeAndre Ayton, Duke forward Marvin Bagley III, and Texas Tech guard Zhaire Smith signed with Puma, in what could lead to a revival of a brand that hadn’t signed a deal with an NBA player since Vince Carter in 1998.
Young and Walker add to a decorated team of NBA athletes at Adidas, including NBA All-Stars John Wall, Damian Lillard, and Kristaps Porzingis, along with 2018 Rookie of the Year finalist Donovan Mitchell and 2018 Most Valuable Player finalist James Harden.
Prior to signing with Adidas, Young, who became the first collegiate basketball player to lead the nation in both points and assists this past season, gauged interest from Nike, Under Armour, and Puma.
In the latest Def Pen Mock Draft, Young is projected to go off the board at pick number six to the Orlando Magic, while Walker is projected to be selected by the Charlotte Hornets with the 11th pick.
