article submitted by: C. Khid
UPDATED: 06 / 25 / 2007
Greg Oden, the 7-footer who is expected to be a top pick in the June 28 draft, has signed an endorsement deal with
Nike, the shoe and apparel maker confirmed Friday.
The terms of the multiyear deal were not disclosed but Hip Hop clothing site, SoJones.com got.
Oden, who declared himself eligible for the draft after one year at Ohio State, earlier signed a three-year
contract with the trading card company Topps worth at least $3 million.
After getting a late start his freshman year because of a wrist injury, Oden led the Buckeyes in scoring (15.7) and
rebounding (9.6) and topped the Big Ten in shooting percentage (.616).
The Buckeyes went 35-4 and won the Big Ten's regular-season and tournament titles before advancing to their first
national championship game since 1962, losing to two-time champion Florida. In the championship game, Oden had
25 points and 12 rebounds.
Oden was in Portland this week to work out for the Portland Trail Blazers, who have the No. 1 selection in the
draft. Kevin Durant, who played at Texas, is also vying to be the top draft pick, was working out for the
Blazers on Friday.
Beaverton, Ore.-based Nike also has endorsement deals with NBA stars LeBron James, Kobe Bryant and Steve Nash,
among others.