💀 Did Nike Blacklist Trae Young?

Gilbert Arenas is claiming that adidas athlete Trae Young was left off of this year's USA FIBA roster due to sneaker brand politics. There's only two other true point guards on the team, so Trae's services definitely could have been used. But there's also other adidas athletes on the roster...very interesting drama 🏀 (2 min read)

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Trae Young Drama

If you look at this year’s Team USA roster, you’ll notice there’s only two true point guards going to the Philippines - Jalen Brunson and Tyrese Haliburton. With that in mind, Gilbert Arenas is alleging that Nike is the reason that adidas athlete Trae Young was left off the FIBA roster. Wow 😬

Big claim from Hibatchi (who mind you is also signed to adidas), but it’s not the craziest thing I ever heard. Nike is obviously the official sponsor of Team USA, and brand politics are an inevitable factor in the professional basketball landscape 👔

Now I’m just gonna come out and say something so you all know how I feel…it’s crazy that Trae Young is not on this team. Unequivocally he is one of the best players in the world and he deserves a spot on this roster. If for some f*cked up reason Team USA doesn’t win gold, critics will point to his exclusion on this team 😏

With that being said, there are other adidas sponsored athletes on the roster. So before we claim that Nike has placed an embargo on adidas athletes, let’s look at the brand breakdown. Of the 12 players on the roster…👇

  • 7 of them are signed to Nike: Josh Hart, Jaren Jackson, Jalen Brunson, Tyrese Haliburton, Cam Johnson, Mikal Bridges, Bobby Portis

  • 2 are with adidas: Anthony Edwards, Walker Kessler

  • Paolo Banchero is signed with Jordan Brand

  • Austin Reaves is with Rigorer

  • Brandon Ingram is a sneaker free agent

Is Trae Young arguably adidas basketball's biggest young star? Yes he is. Would it be a shrewd business move for Nike to blacklist Trae from the team to limit exposure on his brand, adidas brand and his new adidas signature shoe? I can’t say for certain and I don’t want to propagate these narratives. But do I think he was snubbed from the team? Yes. And do I think adidas basketball has a reason to be upset about this? Yes 💀

More sneaker mystery and intrigue coming soon, the truth is out there. Now answer this one for me so I can see where you all stand 👀

Which player on the Team USA roster would you drop for Trae Young?

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