Sportswear giants Nike have signed Sacramento Kings rookie guard Tyrese Haliburton to a shoe deal. Haliburton, the 12th overall pick in last year’s NBA draft, was reported to have signed a multi-year deal with the company by ESPN’s Nick DePaula on Monday and says it’s like a dream come true. He’s the first known rookie to sign with Nike so far this season but joins Anthony Edwards, Onyeka Okongwu and LaMelo Ball as rookies to sign shoe contracts in 2020/21, with Adidas signing Edwards and Okongwu and Ball signing with Puma.
“I’m happy to be part of Nike,” the 21-year-old was quoted as saying on his deal, per USA TODAY SPORTS. “I have been wearing them my whole life. That’s really cool for me, kinda like a dream come true and I’m excited about it. It’s just really cool. It’s kinda cool that they have faith in me and they like me enough to make me part of the brand.”
The details of the deal are still unknown but Haliburton has sort of jokingly confirmed there are no plans for a signature sneaker at the moment.
“Yeah, I ain’t that nice yet,” he said. “I ain’t that nice. Maybe one day.”
