Yesterday we learned from Darren Rovell of CNBC that former UConn Huskies All-American and Charlotte Bobcats draftee Kemba Walker had signed an endorsement deal with Under Armour. I do wonder how is new boss Michael Jordan feels about this since MJ is Mr. Nike after all.
Here’s the official press release from Under Armour:
Under Armour (NYSE:UA), the leading athletic performance apparel, footwear and accessories brand, today announced a multi-year partnership with decorated college basketball star and incoming NBA rookie Kemba Walker. Selected with the ninth pick in the 2011 NBA Draft by the Charlotte Bobcats, Walker engineered a prolific junior season, where he led the University of Connecticut to the 2011 NCAA National Championship and 2011 Big East Tournament Championship.
“Kemba has proven himself to be the ultimate winner, and as we continue to build our presence in the basketball world we’re thrilled to have him join the Under Armour team,” said Matt Mirchin, Senior Vice President, Sports Marketing, Under Armour. “He’s electrifying on the court, and his dedication to hard work and humility off the court are just as impressive.”
After a celebrated high school career, The Bronx, NY native dominated the college basketball world last year, winning Most Outstanding Player awards for both the 2011 Big East and NCAA Tournaments. Ignited by his scoring and playmaking, Walker’s Huskies punctuated an improbable winning streak by claiming the 2011 NCAA Tournament Championship.
“As a young player paving my own path to the game, teaming up with Under Armour feels like a great fit,” said Walker. “From what I see they are the next up and coming basketball brand. They bring a freshness and a new energy to the game of basketball.”
Walker set a new UCONN single-season scoring record with 965 points, earning First Team All Big East and All-American honors and claiming the Bob Cousy Award as the nation’s top point guard. Walker joins 2010 Heisman Trophy Winner Cam Newton, All-America football player Julio Jones and Bryce Harper, the first pick in the 2010 Major League Baseball Draft, as the newest members to the Under Armour team.
Walker will wear UA footwear for training and on-court and will be featured, along with Brandon Jennings, in upcoming marketing campaigns for Under Armour Basketball.
Follow Walker on Twitter @KembaWalker and Under Armour @UnderArmour.
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About Under Armour, Inc.
Under Armour® (NYSE: UA) is a leading developer, marketer, and distributor of branded performance apparel, footwear, and accessories. The Company’s products are sold worldwide and worn by athletes at all levels, from youth to professional, on playing fields around the globe. The Under Armour global headquarters is in Baltimore, Maryland, with European headquarters in Amsterdam’s Olympic Stadium, and additional offices in Denver, Hong Kong, Toronto, and Guangzhou, China. For further information, please visit the Company’s website at http://www.underarmour.com.
About Kemba Walker
Coming off of a stellar college basketball career, wherein he led the University of Connecticut in winning the coveted NCAA Championship, standout Kemba Walker was selected by the Charlotte Bobcats in the first round of the 2011 NBA Draft. The All-American earned numerous accolades during his UCONN tenure, including 2011 NCAA Basketball Tournament Most Outstanding Player, Big East Tournament MVP and the Bob Cousy Award, presented to the top point guard in the nation. An integral component of the UCONN squad, Walker, who graduated college in three years, was added to the Huskies of Honor following the team’s Championship victory. A Bronx, N.Y., native, he attended Rice High School and competed on the New York Gauchos AAU team, which went on to finish No. 1 in the nation that year. In addition to his basketball prowess, Walker is a talented dancer, and has performed three times at the Apollo Theater. For more information, visit kembawalker.com.
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