adidas Basketball's 2016 Rookie Class, Who are they?

THE NEXT WAVE IS HERE: ADIDAS BASKETBALL ADDS EIGHT TO 2016 ROOKIE CLASS

Adding to an already impressive 2016 Rookie Class, adidas Basketball welcomes eight new members to the hoops family.  

“I’ve known some of these guys for a long time. We enjoy being in each other’s presence and at the same time, we’re fierce competitors. I feel like everybody else wants to fit in and for what? We’re born to stand out,” Jaylen said. “The whole brand, the whole movement – I’m here to create. That speaks to me on so many levels. I’m someone that wants to be different and respected for generations to come. That’s what I’m here for.”

Thon Maker of the Milwaukie Bucks, Taurean Prince of the Atlanta Hawks, Wade Baldwin of the Memphis Grizzlies, DeAndre Bembry of the Atlanta Hawks, Ivica Zubac of the Los Angeles Lakers, Cheick Diallo of the New Orleans Pelicans, Patrick McCaw of the Golden State Warriors and Isaiah Cousins of the Sacramento Kings join the ranks of our initial draft class highlighted by Brandon Ingram of the Los Angeles Lakers, Jaylen Brown of the Boston Celtics, Dragan Bender of the Phoenix Suns, Kris Dunn of the Minnesota Timberwolves andJamal Murray of the Denver Nuggets.

“I chose adidas to be different. Everybody wants to wear the same brands but at the end of the day, I want to set the tone. I’d rather form a bond and get to the top together than go where everyone else goes,” Taurean said. “Being with these other rookies is like growing up with your brother with those dreams to do something great. Once you’re able to accomplish that – it’s like it was meant to be.”

Seven of adidas’ newest partners stopped by the adidas Village in Portland, Oregon for a special welcome to the brand. Ingram, Brown, Murray, Maker, Prince, Baldwin and McCaw participated in product feedback sessions, footwear testing and an employee meet-and-greet.

“It truly means a lot to be a part of adidas, and we’re just going through this journey together,” Brandon explained. “The group that I’m with today – it’s just a lot of high character guys. So this new wave, all of the product and everything that’s coming is really just going to take things over.” 

The latest three stripe partners will play a collaborative role in driving performance insights to create new footwear and apparel. They will also be featured in upcoming brand campaigns, activations and global tours.