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After bring selected by the Sixers with the 20th overall pick in the 2019 NBA draft, Matisse Thybulle had an excellent summer league in Vegas, averaging 11.6 points with a 42.9/39.3/91.7 shooting line, 3.8 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 2.0 steals, and 1.2 blocks across five games. Thybulle was able to parlay that early success into an endorsement deal with Nike, as announced yesterday.
Philadelphia 76ers rookie Matisse Thybulle has reached an agreement on a multi-year shoe endorsement deal with Nike, league sources tell Yahoo Sports.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) August 9, 2019
It’s now fairly common practice for shoe companies to lock down deals with rookies upon entering the league. Last summer, Zhaire Smith signed with Puma as they thrust themselves back into the NBA sneaker scene. Those Pumas couldn’t prevent Smith from fracturing his left foot last August, the mere beginning of an extremely unlucky rookie year for Zhaire. Mark Parker, you better make sure your team over at Nike does a better job protecting young Matisse’s feet. The Sixers rookie curse is a powerful force to overcome.
Below, I’ve listed shoe preferences for each member of the Sixers. Thybulle will join nearly every member of the squad on Team Nike (Joel and Zhaire are the only guys wearing shoes from a different company). I’m not a true sneakerhead, so if I’ve missed any pertinent or interesting information, let us know in the comments. Thanks to Baller Shoes DB for the research database that helped me find this information.
Joel Embiid - Under Armour (HOVR Havoc)
Ben Simmons - Nike (Hyperdunk line)
Tobias Harris - Nike (Kobe shoes)
Al Horford - Nike (Hyperdunk line)
Josh Richardson - Nike (LeBrons, Kyries, and Retro Jordans) - Richardson was ejected last year for throwing a shoe into the crowd.
Mike Scott - Nike (Kobe shoes)
Zhaire Smith - Puma
James Ennis - Nike (Kobe shoes)
Jonah Bolden - Nike (KD line)
Trey Burke - Nike (KD line)
Kyle O’Quinn - Nike (Hyperdunk line)
Raul Neto - Nike (Hyperdunk line)
Furkan Korkmaz - Nike (Kobe shoes)
Shake Milton - Nike (Kobe shoes)