Shoe companies are always on the lookout for the next big ambassador for their brands, especially as companies take aim at cutting into Nike's stranglehold.

Under Armour has steadily become one on Nike's biggest competitors, leveraging what began as fitness apparel into becoming a player in the NBA shoe game. Stephen Curry's meteoric rise has been a huge boon to their success. 

One of the ways brands like Nike, Under Armour and the rest try to get more bang for their buck is aligning with high-potential NBA Draft prospects who may not be considered "elite" compared to the top of the lottery. That means smaller contracts from companies, with potential for high payout on the other end. 

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Enter Dennis Smith, Jr., the ninth overall pick selected by the Dallas Mavericks. Smith, Jr. was considered one of the top prospects going into college last season, but a torn ACL forced him out of his senior season. That left enough lingering doubt about his long-term health to see him drop further down the draft board. 

Companies were all over getting in on the Smith, Jr. show at a discount following the NBA Draft, offering him shoe deals that were worth less than $1 million per year. Instead of accepting the best deal possible, the rookie guard decided to make a case for himself at Las Vegas Summer League. 

That he did, proving to be one of the most exciting players in Las Vegas during the two-week exhibition span. He averaged 17.3 points, 4.8 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 2.2 steals per game during summer league play, earning first team honors. He was explosive on the court, proving once-and-for-all that the ACL injury is a distant issue. 

Dennis' decision to wait out a shoe deal in order to gain leverage through his play clearly worked, and he's now signed to a three-year contract with Under Armour that could net him approximately $2 million per year if he reaches certain incentives, according to Nick DePaula of ESPN. 

"I am definitely excited to be a part of team Under Armour as I get ready to go into [training] camp for my rookie year. Under Armour is an explosive brand in basketball right now, and I'm excited to join Stephen [Curry] and Seth [Curry] and the team at UA in making our mark together," Smith, Jr. said.

Now, he'll earn a little extra money and have a larger role for a brand that's only growing each year. A risky bet, but one that's already paid off.