Apparently an NBA team is going to draft him.
Kevin Durant’s agent apparently got right down to business after the Texas Longhorns rode off into the NCAA sunset. It’s taken less than two months for the teenager to land his first major endorsement deal.
Upper Deck will include Kevin Durant in all 2007-08 NBA basketball cards, in packaging and marketing materials and an exclusive line of autographed Upper Deck Authenticated items. Durant will make his rookie card debut in Fleer Ultra SE and Upper Deck’s First Edition Basketball, and his first autographed card will be included in Upper Deck SP Game Used Basketball. In addition, Upper Deck Authenticated will design a line of limited edition Kevin Durant collectible and memorabilia items featuring his autograph.
“I’m very excited to be taking two giant leaps in my career by joining the NBA and at the same time, signing a contract with another winning team, The Upper Deck Company,” Durant was quoted in a news release. “I’m honored to be in the company of some of the world’s most skilled athletes who also represent Upper Deck’s products.”
Durant won the Associated Press College Player of the Year Award, the John R. Wooden Award, the Naismith Trophy, the Oscar Robertson Trophy, The NABC Division I Player of the Year Award, the Adolph F. Rupp Trophy, ESPN Player of the Year. He was named as a first team All-America and is considered by most to be the top player in the NBA draft.
Durant autographs should be popular with collectors looking to find the next big NBA star.
Said Richard McWilliam, Founder & President of Upper Deck, “We are very pleased to have Kevin Durant, the first college player to sweep all of the national player of the year awards, join forces with Upper Deck in an exclusive partnership that will bring exciting products to fans and collectors worldwide. The anticipation is already building for Kevin’s first autographed cards and memorabilia to hit the market.”
The Co-MVP of the McDonald’s All-American team has signed a multi-year deal with Upper Deck which includes exclusive rights to his cards, collectibles and memorabilia.
Other Upper Deck spokesman include: Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Tiger Woods, Ken Griffey, Jr., Derek Jeter, Sidney Crosby and Wayne Gretzky.
