PUMA MB.05 “Skull” 313593-01 | SneakerNews.com

With news of the ANTA PUMA share purchase hitting the trades, the Big Cat’s global strategy may start to shift in the months ahead. However, while their efforts may change shape, you can trust and believe that LaMelo Ball shoes will remain one of the pillars of their Hoops vertical, arguably never more in focus than now as he holds ownership of three concurrent silhouettes under their roof.

His signature line’s enduring purchase with the younger demographic is no doubt owed to his personal style and the eccentric applications that hit his basketball models as a result. While the PUMA MB.05 has had molded skulls in its traction pattern as a hallmark, an earnest “Skull” edition raises up its importance, now branching onto synthetic uppers. That patterning is clearest seen at the toe, where the eerie face-like shapes create some ghoulish contrast with an otherwise delicate pair, coated in a smattering of lavender shades. Between Ball’s own penchant for that side of the color wheel and some home court Hornets ties, it’s a fitting checkpoint in the PUMA MB.05 journey overall, with some added edge on top from those subtle, spooky call-outs.

Stateside release info for the PUMA MB.05 “Skull” hasn’t emerged just yet, but select global outlets already have this shoe on offer. Generally, you can expect this variation to hit PUMA US sometime in the coming month and change, holding onto its usual $130 MSRP.

Matt Varga is an Editor at SneakerNews. Initially earning a degree in Video Arts and Technology, he got his start in video editing and writing in the music world — primarily on hip-hop and electronic. A long-standing interest in sneakers led him to switching over to footwear. An avid collector, his favorite sneaker of all time comes down to either the Air Jordan 1 “Black Toe” and Air Jordan 5 “Laney,” his first ever pick-ups. When he’s not writing, you can find Matt cooking, traveling, attending concerts and when weather permits, on the handball court.