Darius Miles opened up on how Michael Jordan sealed his signature with the Jordan Brand over AND1 with a gesture after Nike stalled in their negotiations with Miles and Quentin Richardson.
“We were going to Jordan Camp every year since my sophomore year every summer and after my senior year, we went to Santa Barbara Jordan Camp again. We were draped down in AND1 gear because they sent us so much stuff. We were trying to get a Nike deal but Nike was kinda BSing us.”
At the Jordan camp, the pair met up with Michael Jordan himself, who seemed offended at the duo wearing AND1 gear. He made it right by ensuring both players hopped on over to the Jordan Brand.
“We were draped in AND1 and when [Michael Jordan] looked at us, he was like ‘Why y’all got that on?” and we was like we can’t get a deal, we want to be with Nike. He’s like, ‘Aight.’ Agent called us the next morning, and people knocking on our door, and they sent us boxes and boxes of Jordans. My agent was like, ‘What did y’all do?’ He signed me and Q to Jordan and made Nike pay us.”
Michael Jordan convinced Darius Miles not to sign with AND1 and to sign with Nike and Jumpman instead 🤭
"We was trying to get a Nike deal, but Nike was kind of BSing, so we draped in AND1…[Michael Jordan] looked at us, he was like 'why y'all got that on?" and we was like we… pic.twitter.com/M0cIu85X93
— Run It Back (@RunItBackFDTV) March 13, 2024
The Jordan Brand has had tons of star players under its umbrella, with the likes of Luka Doncic, Jayson Tatum, and Zion Williamson boasting active signature shoes, with former signature athletes like Dwyane Wade, Carmelo Anthony, Russell Westbrook, and more.
Miles and Richardson never received signature shoes from the brand but did rep Jordan gear in their professional careers. Neither had a large enough profile to warrant signature shoes but they were talented enough to earn Jordan’s respect.
Shaquille O’Neal Once Pulled Darius Miles Over And Got Him Late For Practice
Many NBA fans know that Shaquille O’Neal is passionate about serving the law and is a registered police officer as well. He enrolled in the LA Police Department to have a fallback if his NBA career failed, but even with his success, Shaq enjoys doing his civic duty as a police officer.
Sometimes, O’Neal used his badge to pull good-natured pranks on other NBA players. Darius Miles was a victim of one of these pranks, being pulled over by Shaq and getting late for practice as a result. At least O’Neal paid the fine Miles was hit with.
“He made me late for practice, pulled me over. I guess they didn’t have practice and he pulled me over, and the rest was history. And I told him, you gotta pay my fine. He said, I got you. I went over to practice.”
He didn’t know it was Shaq until he looked up.
“I didn’t, I was looking down. I was looking down in my glove compartment trying to grab all my proper paperwork. And I looked up, I’m like, ‘man, I’m gonna be late.'”
Miles enjoyed a seven-year career in the NBA, playing. He averaged 10.1 points and 4.9 rebounds while playing for four different franchises including the Clippers, Trail Blazers, Grizzlies, and Cavaliers.
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