Kevin Garnett Joins adidas Family
Amsterdam, August 5, 2003 - adidas has taken another major step in reaching their mission of being the world's leading sports brand, signing six-time NBA All-Star Kevin Garnett of the Minnesota Timberwolves to a lifetime contract. Along with the reigning two-time MVP, Tim Duncan, and the reigning NBA scoring champion, Tracy McGrady, Garnett gives adidas three of the five All-NBA First Team players. Basketball has been the fastest growing Sport Performance category for adidas each of the past two years, both in North America and globally.
"Kevin's passion and commitment are among the character traits that not only make him one of the fiercest competitors and most exciting players to watch in the game today, but also the perfect fit for our brand," stated Erich Stamminger, adidas-Salomon Board Member responsible for Global Marketing.
"Joining the adidas family is an exciting step in my career. It is clear to me that they have a sincere commitment to the sport of basketball. I am looking forward to working with them and doing my part in keeping the brand headed in the right direction," stated Kevin Garnett.
After being named National High School Player of the Year by the USA TODAY, Garnett submitted his name for the 1995 NBA Draft. During his senior season in high school at Farragut Academy in Chicago, he averaged an amazing 25.2 points per game (ppg), 17.9 rebounds per game (rpg), 6.7 assists per game (apg) and 6.5 blocked shots per game (bspg)! Garnett was selected in the first round (5th overall) of the 1995 draft by the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Garnett is a six-time NBA All-Star, has been named to the All-NBA First Team twice (2000, 2003), All-NBA Second Team twice (2001, 2002), and has been named to the NBA All-Defensive First Team the last four years (2000-2003).
The 2002-03 season was his finest, as he set career highs in five major statistical categories (minutes per game, field goal percentage, points per game, rebounds per game and assists per game). He finished in the top 20 in eight different statistical categories, including league highs in double-doubles (68) and triple-doubles (6), proving his value as one of the most versatile and dominating players in the league. Leading his team in scoring (23.0 ppg), rebounding (13.4 rpg), and assists (6.0 apg), Garnett completed his fourth consecutive season of averaging at least 20 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 assists per game. He was also the MVP of the All-Star Game, his 37 points leading the West to victory.
adidas has been providing quality products for the world's best basketball players for almost 50 years, from NBA legends such as Jerry West, Oscar Robertson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to today's superstars, such as Tracy McGrady and Tim Duncan.