Ever heard of Damon Jones? Didn't think so

Outspoken (and slightly above average) Cleveland Cavaliers guard Damon Jones made history this week, becoming the first active American NBA player to sign an endorsement deal with a Chinese sports apparel brand. Li Ning, one of China's leading sports brands, signed Jones to a two-year deal, details of which were not disclosed. Jones has worn Li Ning's "Feijia" sneakers for most of this season.

Some -- especially those who drafted him for their fantasy teams -- might say using the term "active" in association with Jones would be a stretch. After establishing himself as one of the league's more reliable 3-point shooters last year with the Miami Heat, Jones has been a disappointment with the Cavs, who signed the 29-year-old to a four-year, $16 million deal during the offseason. So far this season, Jones is averaging just 7.7 points per game while shooting an unimpressive .372 from behind the 3-point arc.

Jones, hower, is one of the league leaders in outlandish statements. This season alone he has called himself the "black Brad Pitt" and the best 3-point shooter on the planet (and No. 2, No. 3 and No. 4). Here are some of his gems regarding the Li Ning deal:

"I got billboards all over China. I got wax sculptures. I'm an icon. I'm global. Who's that global around here, except LeBron James?" -- AP

"It was a situation where I didn't have a shoe contract coming into the year, and I was searching around, and I felt that being different, as I am, I thought it would be a good move to market myself in a different light. They felt with my personality and my glamorous looks that I could bring a little pop to the brand." -- The Plain Dealer

"The Li Ning products, with oriental culture, make me unusual in the NBA court." -- Xinhua

Athletics, a Fujian-based sports apparel company signed former NBA star Clyde Drexler as a spokesperson last year, several years after he had retired.