Peak signs two more NBA players

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By Chen Xiangfeng (China Daily)
Updated: 2009-11-04 09:23

One of the leading domestic sportswear companies, Peak, announced it has signed sneaker contracts with Houston Rockets' power forward Carl Landry and the Minnesota Timberwolves' rising star, Kevin Love.

Landry, a solid bench player, has helped fill the void created by the injury to his All-star teammate, Yao Ming. He was a key player in the Rockets' 22-game winning streak last year, the second longest in NBA history.

Love was drafted fifth in the 2008 NBA Draft by the Memphis Grizzlies. Following the draft he was traded, along with Mike Miller, to the Timberwolves.

He finished his first season leading all rookies with 29 double-doubles, the most by a Timberwolves' rookie in franchise history.

Nine NBA players have been sponsored by Peak, including Rockets' forward Shane Battier and retired All-star center Dikembe Mutombo, Ron Artest of the Los Angeles Lakers and All-star guard Jason Kidd of the Dallas Mavericks.

"The success of signing more NBA stars proves Chinese sportswear companies have been recognized by the NBA and overseas markets," said Xu Zhihua, CEO of Peak.

Peak was the first Chinese sportswear company to show its commercials courtside at NBA games after signing with the Rockets in 2005.

The company took another giant step forward in spreading its presence in the US by signing an agreement with the NBA in 2007, which allowed its logo to appear at all NBA courts.

"It was very hard to get involved in NBA years ago as people there did not trust the Chinese companies," Xu said. "We made lots of effort to get into the NBA market.

"After years of hard work and the successful signing of some NBA players, more and more Chinese companies, like Peak, have a strong presence in the NBA. Agencies and bosses in the NBA are also more willing to co-operate with us."