Published July 25, 2019, 7:40 AM By Reuters

New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson’s shoe deal with Jordan Brand is the largest ever for an NBA rookie in terms of annual pay, ESPN reported Wednesday.

FILE PHOTO: Jul 5, 2019; Las Vegas, NV, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson against the New York Knicks during an NBA Summer League game at Thomas & Mack Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports vi Reuters/ MANILA BULLETIN

ESPN reported the deal, which Williamson announced Tuesday on social media, is for five years. The report added that several competitors made offers with total values “well into the nine-figure range,” and other offers exceeding $10 million annually. The deal surpassed LeBron James’ as the previously most lucrative.

The No. 1 pick in June’s draft, Williamson is widely regarded as the most coveted endorser to enter the NBA in years, arguably since James in 2003.

During his All-America freshman season at Duke last year, Williamson suffered a late-season right knee sprain after his Nike sneaker ripped apart as he planted his left foot in a game against North Carolina. But that didn’t keep him from signing with a subsidiary of the company.

Other NBA stars who have a partnership with Jordan Brand include Russell Westbrook, Blake Griffin, Chris Paul and Jimmy Butler.

Read more: Nike’s Jordan Brand inks rising star Williamson to shoe deal

Tags: Jordan Brand , Manila Bulletin , Nike , Pelicans , Zion Williamson