Charlotte Hornets: Dwayne Bacon signs with Jordan Brand

CHARLOTTE, NC - JUNE 23: Rich Cho, General Manager of the Charlotte Hornets, introduces Dwayne Bacon and Malik Monk to the media at a press conference in Charlotte, North Carolina on June 23, 2017 at the Spectrum Center. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Brock Williams-Smith/NBAE via Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC - JUNE 23: Rich Cho, General Manager of the Charlotte Hornets, introduces Dwayne Bacon and Malik Monk to the media at a press conference in Charlotte, North Carolina on June 23, 2017 at the Spectrum Center. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Brock Williams-Smith/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Second round pick Dwayne Bacon is the latest member of the Charlotte Hornets to become a Jordan Brand athlete.

Dwayne Bacon announced on his Instagram that he has signed with Jordan Brand. The Charlotte Hornets selected the 21-year old with the 40th overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft after completing a draft night trade with the New Orleans Pelicans.

In his post, the Florida State product said “Blessing after blessings thanks to the man above I’m excited and happy to officially be a Jordan Brand Athlete! Signing with Jordan was a hugeeee dream for me and I’m happy that I can be apart of the best with some of the best athletes in the world!!!

Bacon joins teammates Kemba Walker, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and Cody Zeller as a Jordan Brand athlete. As the owner of the Hornets, Michael Jordan has signed a number of his players and draft picks to his brand. Dwayne’s signing is a bit different because you don’t see many second round players getting contracts with shoe companies.

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The swingman impressed the team after a strong summer league performance in Orlando. In five summer league games, Bacon averaged 15.4 points per game and 4.2 rebounds per game on 41.8% shooting from the field. That impactful showing could’ve been the main reason as to why he was signed by Jordan.

Both of the Charlotte Hornets’ draft picks this year signed shoe deals. Malik Monk signed with Nike before the draft. That almost guarantees that the first round pick will make the switch over to Jordan Brand now that his owner is Michael Jordan.

Other notable Jordan Brand athletes include Jimmy Butler, Chris Paul, Blake Griffin, Kawhi Leonard, Russell Westbrook, and Carmelo Anthony. (Wikipedia) Even though Dwayne isn’t on the same level as those superstars, he now joins the select few (about 25 NBA players) to be under contract with Jordan.

Next: Hornets interested in J. Hill, T. Jones and W. Reed

The Charlotte Hornets’ official Twitter account also congratulated Bacon on signing with Jordan. Credit to Dwayne for playing his game and earning a shoe deal before he’s even played his first real NBA game.