Projected high lottery pick LaMelo Ball has reportedly landed his first shoe deal according to Shams Charania of The Athletic.
Ball is finalizing a deal with Puma, which looks like the end of his relationship with his family's outfit, "Big Baller Brand".
Ball would join a list of Puma athletes that includes DeAndre Ayton, RJ Barrett, Marvin Bagley, Kyle Kuzma, Marcus Smart, Danny Green and DeMarcus Cousins.
It's unknown if Ball would get his own signature shoe or if Puma would absorb Big Baller Brand as part of the deal but the potential No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 Draft has become the first of the Ball brothers to sign a shoe deal outside of the BBB.
Ball, who is pegged to go third overall in NBA.com's latest mock draft, played a season in Australia with the Illawarra Hawks as part of the NBL's Next Stars program.
The 19-year-old appeared in 12 games, averaging 17.0 points, 7.6 rebounds, 6.8 assists and 1.6 steals before having his season cut short due to injury.
The 2020 NBA Draft is currently scheduled for October 16th U.S. time but could be moved further back to allow teams more time to prepare.
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