BOSTON -- NBA forward Shawn Kemp agreed Monday to drop a $4.1 million lawsuit he filed against Reebok for terminating his endorsement contract, the company said.

Reebok spokeswoman Denise Kaigler said Kemp, who plays for the Portland Trail Blazers, dropped all of the claims in his lawsuit and also agreed to pay Reebok an undisclosed amount to settle a countersuit filed by the company. In its suit, the Canton-based sneaker maker claimed Kemp owed it a little over $1 million in advance royalties.

The agreement was reached about two hours after a jury in U.S. District Court began deliberating the case.

Kemp, who had a 5-year, $11.2 million contract to endorse Reebok sneakers and other products, sued the company last September after it canceled his contract two years early.

Reebok said he had violated the terms of his contract when he made disparaging remarks to a newspaper reporter.

Kemp told a reporter for the Akron (Ohio) Beacon Journal that basketball sneakers just aren't what they used to be, that today's sneakers are "throwaways," and that his all-time favorite pair of sneakers was made by Nike, Reebok's archrival.

Kemp told the jury that he did not consider his remarks disparaging.

He said he was speaking about sneakers in general and not specifically Reeboks when he complained that all modern sneakers rip easily.

"I signed a contract, but not to lie for them," he said. "Telling the truth is not disparaging."

Kemp claimed Reebok's real reason for canceling his contract was that he is not the superstar he once was.

Kemp was a six-time All-Star early in his career when he played for the Seattle SuperSonics and Cleveland Cavaliers, but has had weight problems during the last three seasons. His first season with the Trail Blazers ended in April, when he checked himself into a rehabilitation clinic for cocaine abuse.

Kemp's personal lawyer, Scott Boatman, would not discuss the terms of the agreement Kemp reached with Reebok.

"He is certainly happy that this is settled and he can focus on the start of the season, which is less than a month away," Boatman said.

Kaigler said Kemp does not receive "one dime" from the company under the agreement.

"The message here is real clear, and that is Reebok will not now nor will we ever compensate an athlete who is endorsing our products for making disparaging comments about our company or our products," she said.

Tom Withrow, an attorney who represented Kemp during the trial, did not immediately return telephone calls seeking comment.

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