Chicago Bulls centre and four-time NBA All-Star Ben Wallace has become the first athlete to endorse the Starbury footwear and apparel brand, which was launched by New York Knicks guard Stephon Marbury, along with footwear company Steve & Barry's, last summer.

Under the agreement, Mr Wallace will wear Starbury basketball shoes on-court this season and his Wallace's Big Ben signature Starbury sneaker, which is currently being designed, next season.

For the remainder of this NBA season he will wear Marbury's signature Starbury II shoe, which was launched on March 26.