Zion Williamson Has Signed On With Jordan Brand Shoes

Basketball | 7/23/19
zion williamson
Ethan Miller/Getty Images
Ethan Miller/Getty Images

In his first major sponsorship deal since joining the NBA, Zion Williamson has committed to Jordan Brand as his personal choice of on-court footwear. The deal comes a few months after Williamson was picked first overall in the NBA Draft by the New Orleans Pelicans.

Williamson announced the move on his Instagram account on Tuesday. Michael Jordan, the founder of the shoe brand, said, "Zion's incredible determination, character, and play are inspiring. He’s an essential part of the new talent that will help lead the brand into the future. He told us he would 'shock the world,’ and asked us to believe him. We do."

For Zion, picking the right shoe might be the most important career decision he makes. In his final year at Duke, one of the shoes he was wearing famously exploded during a game. It split at the seams while the young star was making a cut, causing him to slip and subsequently injure his knee.

Oddly enough, the shoe he was wearing during that incident was Nike, the company that happens to own and operate the Jordan brand.

About signing with the iconic brand, Williamson said, "Since I was a kid, I dreamed of making it to the league and having the type of impact on the game Michael Jordan had and continues to have today. He was one of those special athletes I looked up to, and I really can't express how happy and excited I am for this journey."