Philadelphia 76ers' All-Star center Joel Embiid will reportedly sign a multi-year sneaker deal with Under Armour. According to Yahoo Sports' Pete Thamel, the endorsement deal is expected to be finalized today.
Embiid, who previously repped for Adidas, has been rocking Under Armour sneakers throughout training camp and Philly's preseason games. While the Sixers were in China, he was asked about having a signature sneaker of his own, to which he replied:
"We might be able to make it happen at some point, and I'm excited about it. I'm excited.
“A lot of people, you know, always have that notion [that] big men can’t sell shoes. When I look at myself … I’m more than a big man. So as far as signature shoes, I’m excited to come and break that.”
In ditching Adidas in favor of Under Armour, Embiid will join a small list of NBA players that includes Stephen Curry and Dennis Smith Jr., as well as other star athletes like Cam Newton, Tom Brady, Bryce Harper and Jordan Spieth.
The 24-year old is one of the more marketable big men in the NBA today and boasts 2.9 million follows on Instagram as well as 1.5 million Twitter followers. Last season with the Sixers, Embiid averaged 22.9 points, 11 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.8 blocks per game, while leading the Sixers to the third best record in the Eastern Conference.