Washington Wizards forward Kelly Oubre Jr. has officially inked a multi-year endorsement deal with Nike Inc. subsidiary Converse.
ESPN's Nick DePaula reports the deal is the first of it's kind, as Oubre will rock Nike sneakers on the court while lacing up new Converse sneakers and apparel during his pre-game arrival, which has become a bit of a red carpet fashion show for NBA stars. Oubre will be featured in Converse lifestyle campaigns and he'll have a say on everything from photo-shoot styling to details on upcoming gear, according to DePaula.
"Every game since my rookie year, I came in and just always wanted to look nice and always wanted to outdo myself," said Oubre. "[Style isn't] about anybody else, it's about how you feel in what you're wearing."
"It's a different vibration when it comes to someone who is trying to reinvent themselves in something that they started," said Oubre. "It's not necessarily someone trying to come in and disrupt the game, or someone trying to step onto the scene as newcomers again. [Converse] started this, and it's cool to be a part of something with the exclusivity to work with this company, start a partnership and a foundation."
Oubre, 22, had previously been with Adidas though as DePaula notes, his rookie deal expired on October 1. Since then, he has primarily been hooping in Kobes - a trend that started during his high school days. "Before I committed to Kansas, I was at Findlay Prep and I would wear nothing but Kobes," Oubre beams, per ESPN. "I wear those strictly because of the mentality that he brought to the game."
The Wizards, 5-9, will continue their five-game home stand tonight as they look for their fourth straight victory in a matchup against the Brooklyn Nets.