AND1’s official press release on the signing of Isaiah Canaan and Jamaal Franklin

[Shoe Session – 10.3.13] – AND1’s official press release on the signing of Isaiah Canaan and Jamaal Franklin

Inks: FLASH aka g_sk1lls / Press release c/o AND1 Basketball 
Images: Getty Images / Nice Kicks website

AND1 has just released their official bulletin on the recent signing of NBA rookies Isaiah Canaan of the Houston Rockets and Jamaal Franklin of the Memphis Grizzlies as brand endorsers.  The two will join Indiana Pacers guard Lance Stephenson as the brand’s ambassadors for the 2013-14 NBA season.

Key takeaways from Maurice Levy (director of marketing for AND1) as quoted from the press release:

“Isaiah Canaan embodies the AND1 brand because he honors the game with his hard work, energy, dedication and great attitude.  He doesn’t take anything for granted and that’s one of the things we liked most about him.”

“Jamaal Franklin fits the AND1 mold because he knows he has to earn his way to the NBA through hard work.  He has a lot of potential and is determined to make an impact for Memphis. Plus, he competes every night, is an excellent rebounder and passes the ball and he can jump through the roof.”

[Click HERE to read the complete PR article.]

A couple of weeks ago, we’ve already posted about the new sign ups (click HERE for the AND1 Ph blog post).  Isaiah and Jamaal, selected 34^th and 41^st overall respectively, will be AND1’s presence in the Western Conference, while Lance will continue to hold it down for the East.  Both immediately showcased their brand affinity, rocking identical black/black AND1 Tai Chi Mids during the recently concluded team photoshoots for NBA’s pre-season Media Day.

According to the press document, “We’re very proud to have both Isaiah Canaan and Jamaal Franklin wearing the entire line of AND1 basketball shoes and our apparel this season,” said Levy. “We can’t wait to get the basketball season started up again.”

Follow us in Twitter (@and1ph) and LIKE us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/and1ph) for more news and updates both locally and internationally.  Stay tuned, AND Juans!

Fresh Faces! AND1 signs 2013 NBA rookies Isaiah Canaan and Jamaal Franklin as brand endorsers

[Shoe Session – 9.16.13] – Fresh Faces!  AND1 signs 2013 NBA rookies Isaiah Canaan and Jamaal Franklin as brand endorsers

Inks: FLASH aka g_sk1lls 
Images: Getty Images / Various other web sources

2013 continues to be an exciting year for AND1 as it celebrates its 20^th anniversary, with their signing of two NBA rookies drafted from the 2013 pool.  Isaiah Canaan (Houston Rockets) and Jamaal Franklin (Memphis Grizzlies) are officially onboard to be AND1 brand endorsers and will be joining breakout star Lance Stephenson of the Indiana Pacers as faces of the popular basketball company.  These two young, explosive guards will banner the AND1 brand throughout the 2013-14 season and will bolster a steadily increasing NBA presence which now branches out to the League’s Western Conference.

Isaiah who?

Hailing from Mississippi, Isaiah was the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) Freshman of the Year in 2010 and was awarded the OVC Player of the Year back-to-back (2012, 2013).  Drafted 34th overall by Houston in the 2013 NBA Draft from the Murray State Racers, he recently signed a 3-year deal with the Rockets.  Posted a Youtube highlights mix below of Canaan (click to play).

Listed at 6’0” – Canaan is a strong, physical point guard w/ good 3-point shooting and has an accurate pull-up jumpshot.  His built and smart play reminds people of Jameer Nelson, as Canaan not only lead his college squad in points (21.8ppg ave), but in assists and steals as well.  

Check out his NBA draft profile video below (click to play).

Isaiah is currently sporting the AND1 Empire 2.0 Mids (taken during NBA Rookie Media Day).  Fans can connect with him via Twitter (@SiP03) and Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/IsaiahCanaan).

Jamaal who?

California-born Jamaal was the Mountain West Conference (MWC) Player of the Year in 2012 and was a former teammate of Kawhi Leonard of the San Antonio Spurs.  He was drafted 41^st overall by Memphis in the 2013 NBA Draft from the San Diego State Aztecs, and like Canaan, also signed a 3-year deal with the Grizzlies.  Peep a Youtube video below of his highlights from SD State (click to play).

The 6’5” shooting guard possesses an explosive jumper with a good midrange game.  According to his scouting report, he can get into the lane with ease and draws contact well.  He is also a good passer & an excellent rebounder, and his athleticism allows him to be an excellent perimeter defender, to which people liken him to Tony Allen.  Franklin led his college team in scoring (17 ppg), assists (3.2) and steals (1.6).

Fans can connect with him through his official Facebook fanpage (https://www.facebook.com/JamaalFranklinOfficial).  Check out his NBA draft profile video below (click to play).

Both players will be playing in the NBA’s Western Conference, and it will be interesting to finally see AND1 presence in the West while Lance continues to log meaningful minutes for the Pacers in the East.  Posted below are some more images of the two latest additions to the AND1 family, taken during the 2013 NBA Rookie Photo Shoot.

               

Stay tuned for more AND1 news and updates both locally and internationally from AND1 Ph.  Any Juan can follow us in Twitter (@and1ph) and LIKE us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/and1ph).  And that’s the 411, And Juan!

Lance Stephenson (L) with Isaiah Canaan during the 

recently concluded AND1 2013 Summer Remix Tournament.

Happy 36th birthday, Jason Williams!

[And1 Baller Birthday – 11.18.11] – Happy 36th birthday, Jason Williams!

Inks: FLASH aka g_sk1lls

Images: Various (NBA / Gettyimages / And1.com)

Tsokolate Blanco aka Jason Williams gets to blow his birthday cake today as he turns 36, born November 18, 1975. One of the NBA’s most electrifying players during his 12-year NBA career, Williams is best known for his dazzling passes, pull-up threes, and a very “streetball” style of play. He is a one-time NBA champion, winning it all with the Miami Heat back in the 2005-2006 season against the Dallas Mavericks.

Jason has worn a lot of And1 shoes during his stint with the Memphis Grizzlies (after being traded by the Sacramento Kings, his 1st NBA team) and his kicksology includes the Chosen1 Mids, Mystique Mid, Player X Mid, Rekanize Mid, Rise Mid, Uprise Mid, Taichi Mid plus a ton of PE versions of the 2Chi Mid (he was mostly seen wearing this model, and seems like he favored this silhouette above all).

He has represented the And1 brand during the majority of his stint with the Memphis Grizzlies and has once graced the cover of the And1 Mixtape 7 compilation (click HERE for the short clip, with AO); he was also one of my favorite players during the late 90’s/early 2000’s.

Check out the pics below of J-Will wearing And1 shoes through the years, and click HERE and HERE to view some of his NBA highlights.

From everybody here at And1 Ph, HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY, WHITE CHOCOLATE!

J-Will on the cover of the And1 Mixtape 7.

2Chi Mids.

Williams using the And1 Rise Mids.

Skipping a pass in the Uprise Mids.

Chosen1 Mids.

Jason hoisting a trifecta in the Player X Mid.

Hesitation dribble in the Rekanize Mids, custom shoelaces.

J-Will in Taichi Mids while playing for the Miami Heat.

A dream fulfilled.