BEAVERTON, Ore. -- Greg Oden, the 7-footer who is expected to be a top pick in the June 28 draft, has signed an endorsement deal with Nike, the shoe and apparel maker confirmed Friday.
The terms of the multiyear deal were not disclosed.
Oden, who declared himself eligible for the draft after one year
at Ohio State, earlier signed a three-year contract with the
trading card company Topps worth at least $3 million.
After getting a late start his freshman year because of a wrist
injury, Oden led the Buckeyes in scoring (15.7) and rebounding
(9.6) and topped the Big Ten in shooting percentage (.616).
The Buckeyes went 35-4 and won the Big Ten's regular-season and
tournament titles before advancing to their first national
championship game since 1962, losing to two-time champion Florida.
In the championship game, Oden had 25 points and 12 rebounds.
Nike's deal with Oden was first reported by Brian Berger, host
of the syndicated radio program Sports Business Radio.
Oden was in Portland this week to work out for the Portland
Trail Blazers, who have the No. 1 selection in the draft. Kevin
Durant, who played at Texas, is also vying to be the top draft
pick, was working out for the Blazers on Friday.
Beaverton, Ore.-based Nike also has endorsement deals with NBA
stars LeBron James, Kobe Bryant and Steve Nash, among others.