As of Thursday, Houston Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. is one of 12 NBA rookies for the 2022-23 season to sign a sponsorship deal with Adidas, representing a record draft class for the sneaker and apparel company. Specific terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Smith joins Jalen Green, who signed with Adidas as part of the 2021-22 rookie class, and former Rockets superstar James Harden as some of the most noteworthy players signed under the brand.
“This is just the beginning,” tweeted Smith, an Auburn product who is still only 19 years old. “Excited to announce I have joined the Adidas family for the next chapter of my career!”
While Nike will still produce Houston’s on-court jerseys as part of its agreement with the NBA for all teams, it’s clear Adidas will hold a large influence in the organization for all other areas — including, most notably, the shoe choices that will accompany those uniforms.
Other 2022-23 rookies to sign with Adidas, per Thursday’s announcement, are Bennedict Mathurin, Keegan Murray, Nikola Jovic, MarJon Beauchamp, Ousmane Dieng, Walker Kessler, Johnny Davis, Dalen Terry, Jalen Williams, Isaiah Mobley, and Blake Wesley.
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Story originally appeared on Rockets Wire
