Adidas Signs High School Basketball Phenom Kaleena Smith, the First Deal With Candace Parker as President of Women’s Basketball
Adidas has signed girls’ high school basketball phenom Kaleena Smith to a name, image and likeness (NIL) deal. The hooper is the first signing with WNBA icon Candace Parker as the president of Adidas Women’s Basketball.
“When I started in my role, I wanted to take an innovative approach in how we connect with the best players in the game and empower them in their pursuit of excellence on and off the court,” said Parker said in a statement. “Signing Kaleena as our first high school NIL women’s basketball athlete is a pivotal moment for us as we lead in championing women’s sports and building greater access to and representation in the game that we all love.”
Though Smith is just a sophomore at Ontario Christian High School in California, she has racked up several accolades. For instance, she is a member of the 2024 USA Women’s U17 National Team and was named the 2023-2024 Girls Basketball MaxPreps National Freshman of the Year.
Adidas confirmed Smith will represent the brand on court during all her games, including those with Ontario Christian High School. Also, Adidas stated it is sponsoring her high school team, and the athlete’s AAU team will join the 3SSB Circuit as part of the partnership.
“I embrace any opportunity to challenge myself and improve my game, and I believe that’s what has fostered the confidence and skill I have on the court,” Smith said in a statement. “I’m blessed to be part of something Candace is creating, and to get to do that with a brand like Adidas who is taking a different approach to play a role to help grow the game for players like me. Plus, I’m really excited to get to rock the Harden sneakers this season.”
Smith is now part of Adidas’ athlete roster that is replete with women’s basketball talent, including WNBA champions Betnijah Laney, Alysha Clark, Nneka Ogwumike, Chelsea Gray and Kahleah Copper, among others.
“When I think about the future of women’s basketball, it’s clear it’s in good hands with hoopers like Kaleena,” Parker said in a statement. “Not only is she a tenacious competitor on the court, she’s also someone who understands what’s required off it and is committed to putting in the work. We couldn’t be prouder to welcome her to the sisterhood of talented women who make up Adidas Women’s Basketball.”
About the Author
Peter Verry is the Senior News and Features Editor for Athletic and Outdoor at Footwear News. He oversees coverage of the two fast-paced and ultracompetitive markets, which includes conducting in-depth interviews with industry leaders and writing stories on sneakers and outdoor shoes. He is a lifelong sneaker addict (and shares his newest purchases via @peterverry on Instagram) and spends most of his free time on a trail. He holds an M.A. in journalism from Hofstra University and can be reached at peter.verry@footwearnews.com.