NBA rookies TyTy Washington, Shaedon Sharpe sign with Nike
A pair of former Kentucky Wildcats are staying close to the Nike brand.
On Friday afternoon, Nick DePaula of ESPN reported that Houston Rockets point guard TyTy Washington Jr. and Portland Trail Blazers shooting guard Shaedon Sharpe have both signed deals with Nike. The one-time ‘Cats are two of 14 NBA rookies that reportedly agreed to a contract with the popular shoe company, which is also partners with the University of Kentucky.
Washington was taken with the 29th overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft by the Memphis Grizzlies before getting traded to the Rockets. Sharpe went in the lottery at No. 7 overall to the Trail Blazers.
The 2022-23 NBA season began earlier this week on Tuesday. Washington did not play in the Rockets season-opener on Wednesday due to a knee injury and is expected to sit out again for the franchise’s back-to-back on Friday and Saturday. He originally hurt himself during Houston’s preseason finale last week but is expected to return soon.
Meanwhile, Sharpe played 16 minutes in his debut on Wednesday for the Trail Blazers, posting 12 points and two rebounds on 4-6 shooting (including a perfect 3-3 mark from deep). He was impressive during the preseason and could be a key piece off the bench this season for a team with playoff hopes. Portland will play again on Friday night against Devin Booker and the Phoenix Suns at 10:00 p.m. EST.
Joining Washington and Sharpe with Nike are the following NBA rookies: Chet Holmgren (OKC), Jaden Ivey (DET), Jeremy Sochan (SAS), Jalen Duren (DET), Ochai Agbaji (UTA), AJ Griffin (ATL), Tari Eason (HOU), David Roddy (MEM), Wendell Moore Jr. (MIN), Patrick Baldwin Jr. (GSW), Andrew Nembhard (IND), and Jaden Hardy (DAL).
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