Potential No. 1 NBA draft pick Markelle Fultz inks deal with Nike

Markelle Fultz, the 19-year-old point guard projected to be taken with the No. 1 pick in next week's NBA draft, announced Friday that he has signed a deal with Nike.

"Blessed and thankful to become a part of the @nikebasketball family!!!," Fultz tweeted.

The terms of the deal have not been disclosed. 

Shortly after announcing the deal, Fultz retweeted a tweet that said he should have signed with Big Baller Brand — the company run by LaVar Ball, the father of Lonzo Ball, who's projected to be the No. 2 overall pick.

Nike, Under Armour and Adidas passed on potential deals with Ball after meeting with his father.

Fultz said Thursday that he wants to beat Ball in "everything I do, if that's tying my shoe faster or anything."

It just so happens those shoes will be Nikes.

Nike, which landed deals with No. 1 picks Ben Simmons (2016) and Karl-Anthony Towns (2015), has a long history of signing the NBA's top incoming players.

The sporting goods giant, which will replace Adidas as the NBA's official on-court apparel provider starting this upcoming season, will be the first company to have its logo appear on NBA jerseys.

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