The NIL Deals Behind the Top 10 Picks in the 2026 NBA Draft

The 2026 NBA Draft arrived with one of the strongest incoming classes in recent memory, and the sneaker brands were already well represented before most of these players ever reached the league.

From AJ Dybantsa’s Nike deal to Darryn Peterson’s adidas partnership, Cameron Boozer’s Jordan Brand connection, and Darius Acuff Jr.’s historic Reebok signature shoe, the top of the 2026 class shows just how early major footwear brands are investing in future NBA stars. NIL has changed the timing of these relationships, allowing players to enter the league with brand alignment, logos, signature plans, and endorsement stories already in place.

At No. 1, AJ Dybantsa enters the NBA with Nike already firmly behind him. Dybantsa originally joined Nike through a NIL deal before extending that partnership into a pro basketball contract as he began his NBA career. Nike has also created a Player Exclusive logo for the new Washington Wizards forward, giving him one of the most defined brand identities of anyone in the class.

Darryn Peterson, selected No. 2 overall, brings adidas into the picture. Peterson made history as the first high school athlete to sign an NIL deal with adidas, and that early partnership now carries into his NBA arrival with the Utah Jazz.

At No. 3, Cameron Boozer continues Jordan Brand’s strong presence in basketball’s next generation. Boozer, the son of former NBA All-Star Carlos Boozer, joined Jordan Brand through NIL alongside his brother Cayden, making him one of the most high-profile young names on the Jumpman roster.

Caleb Wilson, the No. 4 pick, is signed with New Balance. Wilson landed a multi-year, multi-million-dollar endorsement deal with the brand during his college career, giving New Balance another major young basketball prospect as it continues to build out its hoops roster.

Mikel Brown Jr., selected No. 6, is signed with adidas. His partnership dates back to adidas Basketball’s NIL ambassador program with Overtime Elite, where he joined the brand alongside other rising young athletes.

Darius Acuff Jr. has one of the biggest sneaker stories in the class. Selected No. 7 overall, Acuff is signed with Reebok and already has a signature shoe planned. The deal made him the first NCAA men’s basketball player to receive a signature shoe from a major U.S. brand while still in college, marking a major moment for both Acuff and Reebok Basketball.

Kingston Flemings has signed with Nike Basketball, becoming the latest top NBA prospect to join the brand after being selected No. 8 overall in the 2026 NBA Draft. The former Houston guard earned consensus First-Team All-American honors during his lone collegiate season before declaring for the draft.

Keaton Wagler, selected No. 5, does not currently have a publicly reported major shoe deal. The same applies to Morez Johnson Jr. at No. 9, and Brayden Burries at No. 10, making them names to watch as brands continue to fill out their rookie rosters.

Altogether, the 2026 NBA Draft’s top 10 shows how much the sneaker business has changed. What once happened after draft night is now often settled years earlier, with brands identifying prospects during high school, college, and NIL windows before they ever step onto an NBA court. For this class, the race between Nike, adidas, Jordan Brand, New Balance, Reebok, and the rest of the market is already well underway.

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