Tyrese Haliburton inks shoe deal with Nike

Jan 13, 2021; Sacramento, California, USA; Sacramento Kings guard Tyrese Haliburton (0) during the first quarter against the Portland Trail Blazers at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports

Tyrese Haliburton is no longer a sneaker free agent.

The Sacramento Kings rookie, and former Cyclone, has inked a deal with Nike, according to ESPN sneaker industry reporter Nick DePaula. He joins notable stars such as LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, Ja Morant, teammate De’Aaron Fox and numerous other NBA players in wearing the swoosh on the court from night to night.

Haliburton, a native of Oshkosh, Wis., has long caught attention for his on-court sneaker selections and once told Cyclone Fanatic during his college career he hates wearing the same pair in consecutive games.

Haliburton’s status as a sneaker free agent could not have been expected to last long as he’s emerged as one of the leading candidates for NBA Rookie of the Year this season. He’s averaging 12.8 points, 5.1 assists and 3.0 rebounds per game during his debut season for a young Kings squad.

As of this writing, Haliburton has the third-best odds to win Rookie of the Year (+750) behind the Charlotte Hornets’ LaMelo Ball and Minnesota Timberwolves’ Anthony Edwards. Those players are signed with Puma and Adidas, meaning Haliburton can probably be considered the most high-profile rookie on Nike’s payroll.

It is also safe to bet Haliburton will never have to wear the same pair of shoes in consecutive games again.

Jared Stansbury

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Jared a native of Clarinda, Iowa, started as the Cyclone Fanatic intern in August 2013, primarily working as a videographer until starting on the women’s basketball beat prior to the 2014-15 season. Upon earning his Bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from Iowa State in May 2016, Jared was hired as the site’s full-time staff writer, taking over as the primary day-to-day reporter on football and men’s basketball. He was elevated to the position of managing editor in January 2020. He is a regular contributor on 1460 KXNO in Des Moines and makes regular guest appearances on radio stations across the Midwest. Jared resides in Ankeny with his four-year-old puggle, Lolo.

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