Is This LaMelo Ball’s First PUMA Takedown Model?

It feels like we’ve been pining for a breakout campaign for LaMelo Ball for years, hoping that the Charlotte Hornets would turn from the “play-in threat” category into a “serious” outfit and capitalize on the tantalizing talents of their point guard. By pairing the Chino Hills product with rookie phenom Kon Knueppel and a more fully formed Brandon Miller, the future finally looks bright even after eventually falling short of the postseason.

Given that LaMelo Ball shoes have typically trickled out of PUMA headquarters tied to a new NBA season, transparently, we figured all would be quiet on that end until the PUMA MB.06 trickled out. However, a new silhouette has indeed come to light: the PUMA MB.World 01. Appearing on international PUMA sites without much fanfare, this is, by all accounts, the first takedown/budget model under Melo’s name, knocking down the price tag by at least a quarter compared to his earnest signature options.

Anyone who’s come across one of Ball’s models in the past several years knows that extremely expressive, off-the-wall design language is a guarantee, from his basketball kicks to fledgling lifestyle options. While pockets of synthetic reinforcement and feathery detailing keep that going for the PUMA MB.World 01, it’s not a stretch to say this is the most simplistic composition we’ve seen since the .01. Despite a more conventional mesh/rubber build, glossy materials on the toe and “NFH (Not From Here)” embedded in the herringbone traction ensure these still read as a ‘Melo joint.

The PUMA MB.World 01 has already started appearing on global PUMA channels, indicating that a stateside launch shouldn’t be too far behind. Catch official images of three debut colorways below.