Spalding signs up two big names

Spalding has landed two big names to help it sell its basketballs and backboards.

The Springfield company signed Ohio State’s Greg Oden — one of the top NBA draft prospects — and Washington Wizards guard Gilbert Arenas to multiyear deals today. Terms were not disclosed.

‘‘The combination of Greg and Gilbert give Spalding an unbelievable 1-2 punch to reinforce our worldwide basketball leadership and our partnership with the NBA,’’ said Dan Touhey, vice president of marketing.

Oden, a 7-foot center, finished his freshman year at Ohio State by leading the Buckeyes to their first national championship game since 1962.

Arenas is the Wizards’ all-time leader in 3-point field goals and the league’s third leading scorer for the 2006-2007 season. He’s been an NBA All-Star in each of the last three years.
(AP)