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Puma set to release LaMelo Ball’s MB.02 sneakers on October 21st

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James Foglio Sports Editor

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Updated5 hours ago on April 24, 2024

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Puma set to release LaMelo Ball's MB.02 sneakers on October 21st

Puma will release LaMelo Ball’s new MB.02 sneakers next Friday on October 21, 2022. The popular sports brand confirmed the launch date. His second signature shoes are marked for $130.

The sneakers will be available to purchase through Puma.com, Champs Sports, Foot Locker, and Puma NYC. Ball’s second signature sneakers feature colors ranging from bright orange to a slight hint of red, yellow, and blue.

A few NBA betting sites are giving LaMelo Ball the 10th-best odds to win NBA Most Improved Player of the Year in 2023. But some sportsbooks are expecting the Charlotte Hornets guard to finish at the top.

Of course, the shoes will have Ball’s “MB1” icon and “M.E.L.O.” visible on the back.

For constructive feedback, the verdict is in on the new Puma shoes. According to social media posts, people despise the design of the sneakers. Some folks have compared Ball’s shoes to Doritos and Hulk Hogan’s red/yellow outfit.

However, everyone is a critic. It’s all a matter of opinion. Ball’s fans are still excited to purchase his new sneakers next Friday. Puma executives are expecting the shoes to sell out fast.

Puma will release LaMelo Ball’s MB.02 sneakers on October 21, 2022, in retail stores

On August 31, 2017, Big Baller Brand, a sports apparel company launched by the Ball family in 2016, released a signature shoe for LaMelo known as Melo Ball 1 (MB1).

At 16, he became the youngest athlete to ever have a signature shoe.

In 2020, Ball signed an endorsement deal with Puma. By default, he could no longer promote Big Baller Brand. Since then, reviews on his shoes have been mixed — evident by the posts above.

Furthermore, Ball was selected third overall by the Charlotte Hornets in the 2020 NBA Draft. During his rookie 2020-21 season, in 51 appearances, the guard averaged 15.7 points, 5.9 rebounds, 6.1 assists, and 1.6 steals per game.

He won NBA Rookie of the Year and was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team. His success on the court will help him sell Puma merchandise.

Last season, in 75 starts, Ball logged 20.1 points, 6.7 boards, 7.6 assists, and 1.6 steals. He also received his first All-Star selection.

On February 2, 2022, in the Hornets’ 113-107 loss against the Boston Celtics, the guard scored a career-high 38 points in 39 minutes of action. He finished 12-of-24 (50%) shooting from the floor and 4-of-10 (40%) from 3-point range.

Additionally, Ball will now wear the No. 1 jersey. He played his first two NBA seasons with the Hornets while wearing the No. 2 jersey.

So, on top of wearing his MB.02 Puma sneakers, the 21-year-old will have a different appearance in the 2022-23 season.

The guard wore No. 1 while with the Illawarra Hawks of the National Basketball League (NBL). And he wore No. 1 with BC Prienai, a professional basketball club based in Lithuania.

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