After a Twitter message and appearance on ESPN’s First Take, Puma Basketball announced its acquisition of New York Knicks rookie Kevin Knox.
Kevin Knox will soon start his first season with the New York Knicks, who made him the No. 9 overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft. In the pre-draft build-up, rookies were given sponsorship deals, including from Puma Basketball, who made a comeback to the hardwood scene.
Knox did not pick up a sponsorship before the draft or through August. However, Puma made their interest in the Kentucky product clear, when a message was posted on Twitter on Aug. 31.
On Tuesday’s episode of First Take, Knox appeared on the show in Puma gear, so something seemed imminent. That became the case Wednesday when Knox and Puma Basketball made this partnership official.
“A new beginning to something GREAT,” said Knox on Instagram.
IT'S OFFICIAL #pumafam pic.twitter.com/ur4ojlpO2A
— PUMA Basketball (@PUMAHoops) September 5, 2018
ESPN’s Nick DePaula reported, Knox is expected to wear the new Clyde Court. It will mark 45 years since Walt “Clyde” Frazier, who’s on a lifetime contract, debuted the Puma Clyde. Could these two even team for an advertisement?
New York Knicks’ #9 overall pick Kevin Knox has agreed to a multi-year shoe deal with Puma.@PumaHoops has now signed 5 1st Round picks from the 2018 NBA Draft. Expect to see Knox wear the new Clyde Court, 45 years after Knicks icon Clyde Frazier debuted the Puma Clyde in NYC. pic.twitter.com/hY6G5zoNP3
— Nick DePaula (@NickDePaula) September 5, 2018
Puma Basketball made its splash before the 2018 NBA Draft, with the acquisitions of Deandre Ayton of the Phoenix Suns, Marvin Bagley III of the Sacramento Kings, Michael Porter Jr.of the Denver Nuggets and Zhaire Smith of the Philadelphia 76ers. Thus it placed Knox as the fifth first-round pick to sign.
Along with them, Terry Rozier of the Boston Celtics and Rudy Gay of the San Antonio Spurs joined this summer.
As for Knox, this sponsorship lays early foundation for his NBA career. It provides extra exposure, especially as he’s in New York City, about to play 41 home games at Madison Square Garden, has Frazier as a fellow Puma client, and can market himself positively moving forward.
Knox will follow this up with the start of the 2018-19 season, on Oct. 17, when the Knicks face the Atlanta Hawks at home. Before this, five preseason games will transpire, with Oct. 1 vs. the Washington Wizards as the opener.