
The NBA’s current roster of rookies has been stepping up their game at the halfway mark of the 2024-25 season.
Leading this year’s freshman class are prized rookies Jared McCain and Jaylen Wells, who were named the NBA’s Rookies of the Month for October and November. McCain, who plays for the Philadelphia 76ers, boasts impressive playmaking abilities, averaging 16 points and 2.6 assists per game. Wells, representing the Memphis Grizzlies, is not too far behind, establishing himself as a reliable presence on the boards with 12.2 points and 3.3 rebounds per game.
Aside from showcasing their grit on the court, this season’s rookies are displaying their star power through collaborations with the world’s top brands, proving their influence extends beyond basketball. From eyewear and sneakers to apparel endorsements, these rookies show that they have what it takes to stand out among the best of the best. Here are three NBA rookies with big endorsement deals:
Jared McCain flexes Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses
The Sixers guard has solidified his status as a strong Rookie of the Year candidate for the 2024-25 season. Unfortunately, McCain’s impressive debut campaign in the league has ended due to a torn meniscus that he got after the Sixers’ game against the Indiana Pacers in December. Despite this setback, no one can deny McCain’s influence on and off the court. This has been especially highlighted by his collaboration with designer eyewear brand Ray-Ban and tech giant Meta to showcase the AI-powered smart glasses and their innovative features. In a video, McCain highlighted how the smart glasses’ Meta AI virtual assistant helps him in his everyday life as an athlete, including answering question prompts to guide his plans for the day. This huge collaboration with top brands showcases McCain’s rising star.
Stephon Castle joins Jordan Brand’s rookie class
San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle is another promising rookie in the league, averaging 11.4 points and 3.6 assists per game. During his game against the Grizzlies on Thursday, Castle erupted for a season/career-high 26 points and four assists. With McCain being sidelined due to injury, Castle has emerged as the new Rookie of the Year favourite, according to prediction market Polymarket. Like McCain, Castle has also showcased his brand power after signing a sneaker deal with Jordan Brand, one of the most highly-touted shoe lines in the basketball world. As part of Jordan Brand’s 2024 NBA Rookie Class, Castle now joins an illustrious NBA roster that will wear Jordan sneakers that can match his impressive play during games and reflect his style beyond the hard court.
Jaylen Wells signs with Nike
The Grizzlies forward is another consistent contender for the Rookie of the Year Award, who recently contributed a career-high 30 points against the Sacramento Kings earlier this month. He is also part of an exclusive list of rookies with multiple 20-point games and holds the title of the first NBA rookie in franchise history to record at least six three-pointers and six assists in the same game. Aside from that, Wells has also joined another elite club of rookies with brand deals after signing an apparel endorsement contract with Nike. With this brand deal, the Grizzlies’ 39th overall pick will wear Nike apparel more frequently on and off the court, joining a star-studded roster of Nike athletes like LeBron James and Kevin Durant.
In addition to their impressive on-court performances, this current batch of NBA rookies has shown that they also have what it takes to shine beyond the basketball court. With big brand endorsements and deals, these rookies are poised to make a name for themselves on the global stage.