Top pick in BIG3 draft backs LaVar, plans to play in Lonzo's shoes in games
When Rashad McCants takes the court in BIG3 play, he'll be rocking a rather infamous pair of kicks.
The 32-year-old, who went first overall in the BIG3 draft, intends to wear NBA draft prospect Lonzo Ball's much-maligned signature shoe, the $495 ZO2s. McCants respects Lonzo and his father LaVar's decision to stray from the traditional route of signing a sponsorship deal with a footwear giant, instead starting their own line, Big Baller Brand.
"I believe in entrepreneurship, I believe in breaking the mold, I believe in challenging the status quo, and I think that that's what (LaVar)'s doing," McCants said on the "BIG3 Show."
"He's opening up a whole new lane for everyone to realize that you can do your own thing. You don't have to go sign with Nike. You don't have to go sign with Under Armour. You can build your own shoe and wear your own shoe."
Related: LaVar Ball's greed reportedly cost Lonzo $10M shoe deal
McCants, who said he started his own line when he entered the NBA in 2005, has no problem with LaVar's brashness.
"Sometimes it rubs people the wrong way. When you come out as strong as LaVar did, as convicted as he was and passionate, it rubs people the wrong way and it's different. I salute him and I'm going to be wearing those ZO2s when BIG3 starts and I'm going to be supporting them full strength," the shooting guard said.
He'll suit up for Trilogy alongside fellow former NBA players Kenyon Martin and Al Harrington in the new three-on-three league, which begins June 25 at Barclays Center.
McCants averaged 10 points, two rebounds, and 1.3 assists over four NBA seasons spent with the Minnesota Timberwolves and Sacramento Kings.