LaMelo Ball’s PUMA MB.02 “Phoenix” coloray to be sold exclusively in China

LaMelo Ball and German sportswear behemoth PUMA unveiled the PUMA MB.02 “Phoenix” colorway exclusive to China.

Although Puma may drop LaMelo’s second basketball shoe outside of China, the decision to release the colorway suggests its plans to position the youngest Ball brother as China’s next international icon.

The sneaker is predominantly in red, with a shimmering golden finish across its top-half indulge, while reinforcement along the tongue takes on a purple hue that ties back to the “Phoenix” theme well.

Tongues abandon traditional branding in favor of a graphic depicting a winged creature, likely a reference to Chinese mythology.