Today adidas announced the addition of five of the top names headed to the NBA this season, each projected to go early in the Draft later this week. Including Brandon Ingram, Jaylen Brown, Jamal Murray, Dragan Bender and Kris Dunn, adidas Basketball looks to further bolster their already impressive roster of electrifying young hoops stars in the league. Will any of these names join the elite superstar roster of the Three Stripes including James Harden, Damian Lillard, and Andrew Wiggins? Only time will tell, but get familiar with each new adidas hoops signee below with words from the brand.
Brandon Ingram
Real toughness comes from within for Brandon Ingram. Pairing a 7-foot-3 wingspan with dynamic strength on the court, the versatile wing creates offense with poise, finishes with explosive jams at the rim and shoots sharp beyond the arc. The North Carolina native led his college team to the Sweet Sixteen and was named the ACC Freshman of the Year behind 16.7 points and 6.8 rebounds per game while shooting 41-percent from three-point range. He won four state championships at Kinston High on his way to being named a 2015 McDonald’s All-American.
Jaylen Brown
A fierce competitor with natural strength and intelligence beyond his 19 years of age, Jaylen Brown is as a true creator on and off the court. His freshman campaign showcased his versatility, nose for the basket and elite defensive play. The Georgia native posted 14.6 points and 5.4 rebounds per game in his freshman debut, was named the 2016 Pac-12 Freshman of the Year and previously earned McDonald’s All-American honors. While he dominates on the hardwood, Brown stands out from the crowd because of his hunger to learn and desire to stay true to his values and approach.
Dragan Bender
Born in Bosnia-Herzegovina, Dragan’s game features an explosive first step, quickness in transition and sharp-shooting on the perimeter. At just 18-years old, he is the youngest player on Israel’s Maccabi Tel Aviv in the Euroleague and continues to develop his skillset at multiple positions from both ends of the floor. Dragan embraces a family-first mentality and aims for a selfless style of play that drives create offense on the court.
Kris Dunn
Leading this summer’s draft as the most physical floor general, Kris Dunn blends a unique combination of speed and power that makes him one of the most difficult guards to defend. He weaves through traffic with ease, operates with smooth handles off the dribble and controls tempo on-court with elite defense. Kris averaged 16.4 points, 6.2 assists, 5.3 rebounds and 2.5 steals on his way to being named the 2016 Big East Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year for the second straight season. He aims to thrive as a voice in his community and represents his game with a family-first mentality.
Jamal Murray
Deployed as a sharp shooter in his freshman campaign, Jamal Murray plays with a versatile skillset and finds different ways to attack the basket. He developed his game as a complete guard, proving to serve as a playmaker in the clutch with leadership and on-court vision. The Canada native averaged 20 points per game and shot 40.8-percent from three, earning First-Team All-SEC honors. Fostering a “straight to the gym” mentality, Jamal trains with a relentless work ethic and focus on improving performance.