Victor Wembanyama being drafted first by the San Antonio Spurs in Thursday’s NBA Draft is as certain as a bet as the sun rising tomorrow. The 19-year-old French player is the most anticipated NBA prospect since LeBron James, making his shoe contract a huge source of intrigue.
In what should surprise absolutely no one, the deal Wembanyama signed with Nike while playing professional ball in France will continue into his NBA career. ESPN’s Nick DePaula confirmed the news Monday for what was something of an open secret in hoops and sneaker circles.
As of now, it’s unclear if Wembanyama is simply continuing to honor his original deal or if an extension has been signed. Terms have also yet to be confirmed. On the day of the NBA Draft Lottery, Nike teased its relationship with Wembanyama in a tweet.
For the past season in the LNB Pro A, Wembanyama wore the Nike Zoom GT Run. DePaula also reports that Wembanyama will continue to headline Nike GT models for the start of his NBA journey.
But what about a signature sneaker? That’s just a matter of when, considering how much Nike is likely to invest to keep Wembanyama wearing the Swoosh. While details of his current deal are unclear, industry experts expect Wembanyama to eventually sign a deal with a total value of around $100 million. Sonny Vaccaro, the former Nike executive who signed Michael Jordan, told TMZ last year he expected Wembanyama to receive a “blank check.”
That would surpass the rookie record set by James in 2003 when he signed a seven-year, $90 million contract. The second largest deal was given to Zion Williamson just four years ago, as he signed a seven-year deal, $75 million with Jordan Brand (which is, of course, owned by Nike).
Williamson primarily wore the Air Jordan 34 and 35 until he was given his first signature sneaker during his second season in the NBA. This timeline could give us an idea of when to expect Wembanyama’s first shoe to call his own and would coincide with the report that he’ll wear Nike GT models to begin his career. James was given his own signature shoe for his rookie season, the Air Zoom Generation, the but it’s unlikely Nike will be that quick this time around.
All eyes will be on Wembanyama going forward, running all seven feet and two inches from his head to what’s on his feet. We’ll keep you updated when any new details emerge about his Nike contract. Keep it locked to our Twitter and the Sole Retriever mobile app to stay updated on the latest releases, raffles, news, and more in the sneaker and streetwear world.
Ian Servantes is a writer and editor based out of Brooklyn. He's previously covered fashion, sneakers, and pop culture for outlets including Input, Highsnobiety, and Complex.
