Nike signed two endorsement contracts with NBA first-round picks Matisse Thybulle of the Philadelphia 76ers and Keldon Johnson of the San Antonio Spurs.
Yahoo Sports' Chris Haynes reported that Thybulle signed a “multi-year” deal with Nike earlier on Friday while Johnson opted to announce the partnership with the billion-dollar athletic apparel behemoth on Instagram.
Philadelphia 76ers rookie Matisse Thybulle has reached an agreement on a multi-year shoe endorsement deal with Nike, league sources tell Yahoo Sports.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) August 9, 2019
https://www.instagram.com/p/B0609ronL_i/
Matisse Thybulle, 22, is a 6-foot-5 defensive ace at the wing position. He was selected by the Boston Celtics with the 20th pick in the first round of the 2019 NBA Draft, but he was immediately traded to Philly. Thybulle spent four seasons at the University of Washington, honing his salivating defensive skills under Huskies head coach Lorenzo Romar and later Mike Hopkins.
Thybulle represents the latest rangy addition to the Sixers, who seem bent on creating a versatile lineup that can create defensive mismatches. Philly traded Jimmy Butler away to the Miami Heat, acquiring fifth-year wing Josh Richardson in return. Philadelphia also signed big man and defensive guru Al Horford, who portends to line up at power forward in the frontcourt next to All-Star center Joel Embiid. With 6-foot-10 point-forward Ben Simmons guarding the perimeter, adding Thybulle is the cherry on top.
Keldon Johnson, meanwhile, is a 6-foot-6 swingman selected by the Spurs with the 29th overall pick. The rookie had a one-and-done season under John Calipari's Kentucky Wildcats, where he averaged 13.5 points, 5.9 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 37 appearances, shooting 46.1 percent from the field, 38.1 percent from 3-point range and 70.3 percent from the free-throw line.
Johnson could be a solid perimeter shooter for a San Antonio team full of young guards like Derrick White, Dejounte Murray and Lonnie Walker IV.
Follow Us
Subscribe