Back in 2016, the Ball family headed by patriarch LaVar Ball launched the Big Baller Brand and announced its entry into the sneaker industry. However, the footwear and apparel company's short-lived fame didn't last long to which the very own Ball brothers sought to partner with other brands for their sneaker needs. This brings us to LaMelo Ball and Puma.
The youngest Ball brother in LaMelo Ball recently announced his signing with Puma brand ahead of the 2020-2021 NBA season via Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/p/CGU5v7JJcfS/
ESPN's Nick DePaula also shared on Twitter why LaMelo opted to sign with Puma instead of other sneaker brands:
LaMelo on signing with PUMA:
“I personally chose a different path to achieve my success because that defines who I am. I know some people think I am mysterious or ‘not from here,’ and I might have to agree. I am someone who likes to be different & consider myself to be 1 of 1.” pic.twitter.com/CSEBcdmSWg— Nick DePaula (@NickDePaula) October 14, 2020
The 19-year old player will join the likes of other rising stars in Kyle Kuzma, Michael Porter Jr., RJ Barrett, DeAndre Ayton, Marvin Bagley III, Kevin Knox, Zhaire Smith on Puma's growing roster of athletes. The brand also partnered with veteran players in DeMarcus Cousins, Danny Green, Rudy Gay, Terry Rozeier, along with WNBA player Skylar Diggins-Smith.
On the court, LaMelo Ball recently came off a stint with the Illawarra Hawks in Australia's National Basketball League (NBL) where he averaged tallies of 17.0 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 6.8 assists per game, while shooting 37.7 percent from the field and 25 percent from beyond the arc through 12 games played in the 2019-2020 season.
Another draft aspirant and highly-recruited high school prospect in R.J. Hampton also took the same route and played for the New Zealand Breakers instead of spending a year in the collegiate ranks.
After one season of playing overseas, Ball officially declared for the 2020 NBA Draft and is entering as one of the rookie class' most intriguing prospects. His recent partnership with Puma will only be the start of a new chapter in his playing career as he sets to strut his wares in the big leagues come the 2020-2021 NBA season.
Nevertheless, it's the end of an era. LaMelo Ball officially done with his father's Big Baller Brand is now inked to the Puma brand.
Follow Us
Subscribe