Adidas has signed a NIL deal with Kaleena Smith. With this, she becomes the first woman player, who is still in high school, to get into a contract with the global sportswear brand Adidas.
It is an important milestone in the sportswear industry as the basketball prodigy Kaleena Smith, who is only 16 years old, has signed a name, image, and likeness, in short a NIL deal with Adidas. This partnership is executed under the leadership of Candace Parker. Candace is the newly appointed president of Adidas Women’s Basketball. This is believed to be a part of the brand's ongoing efforts in inclusion opportunities for women athletes. Fans across the world are getting excited centering on this NIL deal of Smith and Adidas.
Kaleena Smith x Adidas
Kaleena Smith is a sophomore at Ontario Christian High School in California. She has already gained a notable amount of love in the field of basketball.
This young player is the highest-rated recruit for the class of 2027. This statement is complemented by the fact that she has been offered nearly 20 college offers from top programs. Smith was awarded the 2023-2024 MaxPreps National Freshman of the Year title. She is also a member of the 2024 USA Women’s U17 National Team.
Smith has scored an average of 34.9 points, 6.5 assists, and 4.2 steals per game in her freshman year. In the Instagram post by Adidas that featured the announcement of the contract, the brand mentioned:
"Her name is being whispered in arenas she hasn’t even played in yet. Welcome Kaleena Smith to the adidas Basketball family."
Fans are excited regarding her signing a deal with Adidas. Given below is a comment that a user left on this post:
"This is the right one ! @special.kayyy11 is the truth!!" : @jamalcrawford
The reactions continue:
"Cut from a different cloth!!! Special K is SPECIAL!!"
"So insanely 🔥!!! Get it SPECIAL KAYY!! You are such an inspiration to all basketball players behind you such as my granddaughters"
"Welcome to the /// stripe life"
While some fans are calling this deal 'historic,' others are offering a warm welcome to the basketball star Kaleena Smith. Smith will now represent Adidas in all her high school and Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) games. In addition, her school and AAU teams will benefit from related sponsorships.
WNBA star Candace Parker took charge of Adidas Women’s Basketball in May. She is a three-time WNBA champion and seven-time All-Star. Parker has been instrumental in promoting young talents in sports. Smith’s NIL deal is the latest addition to that.
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