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by Brandon Richard
Last week, the newest members of the NBA family came together at the Madison Square Garden Training Facility for Rookie Photo Shoot Day 2013. The first-year stars were photographed for official media material and officially licensed Panini trading cards.
In addition to wearing their uniforms for the first time, the rookies also laced up brand new sneakers, perhaps giving us an indication of which brand they'll be signing with for the upcoming season.
The most eye-catching sneaker sighting came by way of Nerlens Noel, who slipped to sixth overall in the draft, but is still the most high profile player in the class. After wearing Nike in high school and college, Noel broke out the "Iridescent" adidas Real Deal for the photo shoot. From what we've heard, no paperwork has been signed at the moment, but you can expect adi to make a push for the Sixers' new big man.
Noel isn't the only guy rocking stripes. Ben McLeMore, Steven Adams, Shabazz Muhammad, Tim Hardaway Jr., Ryan Kelly and Peyton Siva are some of the other high profile names that rocked adidas. Nothing has been officially announced, but you'll likely see most of these guys stick with adi next season.
It was pretty much a given that Michael Jordan would sign his rookie Cody Zeller to a Jordan Brand deal, but could top overall pick Anthony Bennett and third overall pick Otto Porter be joining him? Bennett went with the "Thunder" Air Jordan 4 Retro, while Porter was pictured in the classic Black/Red 11. Locking up those two would give Jordan Brand three of the top four picks from this year's draft.
For Nike Basketball, it was a couple of players from adidas sponsored schools that caught our attention. Orlando's Victor Oladipo wore the Black/Blue KD V and Trey Burke went with the "Red Reef" Hyperflight. Both guys also wore Nike in Summer League, so we may have an idea of a few marquee players being targeted by the Swoosh.
Last spotted on the feet of Lance Stephenson in the playoffs, AND1 even made its presence felt at the shoot when Houston's Isaiah Canaan rocked the Empire Mid 2.0. No confirmation on a deal between AND1 and Canaan at the moment.
For a look at everything that was worn at the 2013 Rookie Photo Shoot, check out this special edition of NBA Sneaker Watch.
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Anthony Bennett - Air Jordan 4 Retro "Thunder"
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Victor Oladipo - Nike KD V
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Otto Porter - Air Jordan 11 Retro Black/Red
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Cody Zeller - Jordan Super.Fly Low
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Nerlens Noel - adidas Real Deal "Iridescent"
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Ben McLemore - adidas Rose 3.5 "Iridescent"
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Kentavious Caldwell-Pope - Nike Kobe 8 System "Blitz Blue"
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Trey Burke - Nike Zoom Hyperflight "Red Reef"
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C.J. McCollum - Nike Kobe 8 System "Red Boa"
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Michael Carter-Williams - Nike Kobe 8 System "Blitz Blue"
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Steven Adams - adidas Rose 773 II
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Kelly Olynyk - Nike Kobe 8 System "Year of the Snake"
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Shabazz Muhammad - adidas Real Deal "Iridescent"
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Giannis Antetokounmpo - Nike Hyperdunk 2011
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Shane Larkin - Nike LeBron X "Blue Diamond"
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Tony Snell - Air Jordan 10 Retro "Chicago"
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Mason Plumlee - Nike KD V "What The KD"
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Solomon Hill - Nike Kobe VII System "WBF"
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Tim Hardaway Jr. - adidas Crazyquick
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Reggie Bullock - Nike Zoom Hyperdisruptor
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Andre Roberson - Nike Hyperdunk 2013 Low
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Archie Goodwin - Nike Kobe 8 System "Python"
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Allen Crabbe - Air Jordan 11 Retro Black/Red
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Isaiah Canaan - AND1 Empire 2.0 Mid
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Glen Rice Jr. - Air Jordan 7 Retro Black/Red
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Tony Mitchell - Air Jordan 5 Retro "Grape"
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Nate Wolters - adidas Crazyquick
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Jeff Withey - adidas Crazyquick
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Grant Jerrett - Nike Hyperdunk 2013 Low
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Jamaal Franklin - Air Jordan 13 Retro "Flint"
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Ricky Ledo - NIke Kobe 8 System "Blue Coral Snake"
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James Ennis - adidas Crazyquick
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Ryan Kelly - adidas Crazyquick
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Peyton Siva - adidas Crazyquick