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Arkansas Basketball Star Is The First College Player To Get A Sneaker Deal
Reebok Razorbacks // Image by Kait Cunniff with DALL-E
Darius Acuff Jr., a star freshman on the University of Arkansas’ Razorbacks basketball team, has struck a signature shoe deal with Reebok.
Why It Hits: While several college athletes (and one high school athlete) have secured endorsement deals with major US footwear brands, Acuff is the first NCAA men’s athlete to land a signature shoe deal — something typically reserved for the top professional players.
Behind The Deal: Reebok is looking to make a statement with the Acuff signing.
Acuff is the first men’s basketball player at the brand to have a signature shoe since former NBA player John Wall more than a decade ago. (WNBA star Angel Reese released her own signature shoe last year.)
It’s one of the latest major moves from Reebok’s new head of basketball, Hymne founder Jide Osifeso, who has made outreach to young players a cornerstone of his strategy.
Last Shot: Acuff may be having one of the best freshman seasons in collegiate history. At just 19 years old, he has already been named the Southeastern Conference (SEC) Player of the Year and is the first player to lead the SEC in points and assists per game since Pete Maravich during the 1969–70 season. Analysts say there’s a strong likelihood he’ll be drafted to the NBA this year.
When that happens, he could play his first game in the Acuff 1s.
Next Season: If players can score signature shoes in college, expect more of them to consider staying in the NCAA instead of moving up to the NBA… allowing them to be the biggest fish in a smaller pond.
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Today’s email was written by David Vendrell.
Edited by Nick Comney. Polled and Copy-edited by Kait Cunniff.
Published by Darline Salazar.