Converse signs Kelly Oubre Jr.
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Converse, which first came to prominence as basketball shoes all those generations ago, is looking to get back into the basketball game. As part of their efforts, the brand just signed their secret weapon, Washington Wizards NBA player Kelly Oubre Jr.
The basketball star has been signed to a multi-year footwear and apparel endorsement deal. This is an interesting partnership as Oubre Jr. will be wearing Nike's while on the basketball court, but he will be wearing Converse to his pre-game events, and will be starring in lifestyle campaigns and acting in a creative adviser capacity for Converse's upcoming collections.
Oubre Jr. was under rookie contract with Nike until October 1, and while many brands had been courting him for a deal, he chose Converse in the end because of the unique nature of the deal.
"It's a different vibration when it comes to someone who is trying to reinvent themselves in something that they started," said Oubre Jr. to ESPN. "It's not necessarily someone trying to come in and disrupt the game, or someone trying to step onto the scene as newcomers again. [Converse] started this, and it's cool to be a part of something with the exclusivity to work with this company, start a partnership and a foundation."