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Andrew Wiggins chooses Adidas as endorsement partner, passing on Nike [The Oregonian, Portland, Ore. :: ](Oregonian (Portland, OR) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) July 09--Andrew Wiggins, this year's number one overall NBA Draft pick, has visited Oregon at least twice this year, checking out potential sponsorship partners Nike and Adidas. On Tuesday, Wiggins announced his choice: Adidas. Wiggins, 19, of Toronto, left the University of Kansas after one year to enter the draft where he was chosen by the Cleveland Cavaliers. "Joining the Adidas family is a blessing and an honor and I am extremely excited for what lies ahead," the 6-foot-8 Wiggins says in an Adidas news release. "Knowing that this elite brand is welcoming me into the family with such esteem gives me a great deal of pride. Our collaboration couldn't be more organic both personally and professionally and I look forward to moving to the next level with the brand." Wiggins "will be featured in a variety of upcoming Adidas initiatives," the company said in the release, "and will play a critical role in the development of basketball footwear and apparel." Wiggins is the second member of the 2014 Draft Class to join Adidas alongside Danté Exum, who was drafted by the Utah Jazz as the No. 5 overall pick. Adidas' basketball endorsement roster also includes the Trail Blazers' Damian Lillard, Derrick Rose of the Chicago Bulls, John Wall of the Washington Wizards and Dwight Howard of the Houston Rockets. Wiggins was named the Big 12 Freshman of the Year, first-team All-Conference and second-team All-American. During the 2013-14 season, Wiggins averaged 17.1 points per game, the highest scoring average ever for a Jayhawk freshman. Prior to his career at Kansas, Wiggins earned 2013 Naismith Prep Player of the Year, Gatorade National Player of the Year and McDonald's All-American honors. Wiggins mother, Marita Payne-Wiggins, was a two-time silver medalist sprinter for Canada in 1984 and his father, Mitchell Wiggins, was a first-round pick in the 1983 NBA Draft. "Partnering with an elite talent of Andrew's caliber continues our momentum and investment to the future of Adidas," said Chris Grancio, Adidas head of global basketball sports marketing. -- Allan Brettman ___ (c)2014 The Oregonian (Portland, Ore.) Visit The Oregonian (Portland, Ore.) at www.oregonian.com Distributed by MCT Information Services |