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How did Matthew Dellavedova get a signature shoe?

Curry. LeBron. KD. Kyrie.

Not only have each of the aforementioned stars led their franchises in recent years to new heights with their All-Star-level play, but they've also become household names in the process. They pitch products, appear in national commercials and, of course, sell their own signature shoes to a global audience.

How does polarizing point guard Matthew Dellavedova enter into that equation?

Just this week, the Cleveland Cavaliers backup guard became the next player to soon launch his own signature shoe. He agreed to a three-year endorsement deal with Chinese brand Peak that will officially begin July 1. Dellavedova previously had just a merch deal with Nike, which provided him with a modest allotment of free sneakers in team colors to wear in games.

The Cavs' Matthew Dellavedova drives past Golden State's Shaun Livingston in Game 1. (AP)
The Cavs' Matthew Dellavedova drives past Golden State's Shaun Livingston in Game 1. (AP)

Dellavedova, a native of Australia who still competes regularly for his national team, is partnering initially with Peak's Australian-based branch of the company. Peak also outfits the Australian national basketball team with exhibition and practice gear. Peak and Dellavedova will execute local regional activations, appearances and there will be a Peak "Delly 1" signature sneaker and apparel collection slated to launch later this year. As has been the case in Peak signing several NBA players, offering Dellavedova his own signature shoe was a key selling point in signing him to a deal.

"Peak Australia approached me nearly two years ago with the idea of introducing a basketball shoe into the Australian market," Dellavedova said. "From there, talks became more serious in the past year, and Peak worked hard on developing a shoe. ... I can't wait to unveil them for the first time later this year."

Can we expect to see Dellavedova debut the Delly 1 during the NBA Finals?

"The short answer is no," Greg Bickley, managing director of Peak Australia, told The Vertical. "We are developing prototypes and would love to have them ready for him to launch in [the] Rio [Olympic Games]."

Since announcing the partnership this week, there's still legwork to be done on the development side of creating his shoe. Dellavedova has played primarily in low-tops throughout his career and was vocal in requesting a low cut on the Delly 1.

"Matthew was very specific about what he expected from the performance of the shoe," Bickley said.

While Dellavedova will continue to wear the Nike Kobe X in the NBA Finals, he's been working behind the scenes to get his debut signature model just right for a fall launch.

"The release will be determined by the shoe being absolutely right for him," Bickley told The Vertical. "We have been working on this for almost two years, so we will not be rushed."

The news of Dellavedova's forthcoming signature collection caught many by surprise and was met by a vocal crowd of skeptics that didn't understand his appeal as an endorser. It's worth noting that the Delly 1 shoe will be a mostly regional play to start, focusing on his fanbase in Australia with additional launches at Peak stores in China.

Peak also sells signature shoes endorsed by Dwight Howard, Tony Parker and George Hill in China, none of which are available in the United States. It's highly unlikely that Peak would sell the Delly 1 sneaker stateside, but the hope from the brand is that the line will eventually earn a global fanbase.

"Matthew is already such a fantastic role model to the basketball community in Australia," Bickley said. "It's our hope that through this global partnership with Peak, Matthew will become a household name throughout the 70-plus countries that Peak is located in."

Curry. LeBron. KD. Kyrie. Delly?

His underdog mentality and relentless hustle may have carried him this far to an improbable NBA career, but landing in that esteemed signature sneaker landscape will be quite a tall task for Dellavedova.