BREAKING: South Carolina Star Murray-Boyles Signs Multi-Year Shoe Deal With New Balance, Poised to Be Brand’s Future Face
In a major development ahead of the 2025 NBA Draft, South Carolina standout and projected lottery pick, Jacobi Murray-Boyles, has officially signed a multi-year shoe deal with New Balance, signaling the brand’s growing influence in basketball. The deal, finalized earlier this week, is reportedly one of the most lucrative NIL-to-NBA transitions in recent years, reflecting both Murray-Boyles’ elite potential and marketability.
The 6’8” forward, known for his versatile playstyle, two-way dominance, and high basketball IQ, met with several top sneaker brands during an exclusive spring summit in Los Angeles. Sources close to the discussions say Nike, Adidas, and Puma expressed serious interest. However, it was New Balance’s bold vision and athlete-first branding strategy that ultimately won Murray-Boyles over.
“I wanted a brand that saw beyond just the court,” Murray-Boyles said in a statement. “New Balance offered me not just a deal, but a partnership. They believe in who I am, and who I’m becoming—as a player, and as a person.”
The agreement includes a custom signature line to debut during his rookie season, extensive NIL support leading up to the draft, and a media campaign across digital and international platforms. The deal also guarantees performance bonuses and equity incentives—a rare component for rookie-level shoe contracts.
Insiders suggest that New Balance is positioning Murray-Boyles to join the ranks of their elite ambassador roster, which includes NBA stars Kawhi Leonard and Jamal Murray. Yet unlike the quieter brand personas of his predecessors, Murray-Boyles brings a dynamic energy that New Balance is eager to harness. He’s been praised not only for his game—which includes explosive athleticism, defensive tenacity, and emerging perimeter skills—but also his charisma, media savvy, and leadership.
In fact, during his junior year at South Carolina, Murray-Boyles led the Gamecocks to their best tournament finish in over a decade, averaging 19.3 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks per game. His viral highlight reels, interviews, and social media presence have steadily grown his profile, making him a natural bridge between Gen Z fans and the New Balance brand.
The company has reportedly already filmed segments with Murray-Boyles in New York and Tokyo for their upcoming global “Balance the Game” campaign, where he’s slated to feature alongside tennis star Coco Gauff and rising track sensation Sydney McLaughlin.
With the NBA Combine approaching and most mock drafts placing him within the top 10, this shoe deal adds another milestone to an already meteoric rise. And while the draft night jersey is still unknown, one thing is certain—Jacobi Murray-Boyles will be lacing up in New Balance for years to come.
As one marketing executive put it: “He’s not just our future on the court. He’s the future of our brand.”
