Jared Ebanks In June of 2022, The Athletic reported that PUMA had signed a then 18-year-old Scoot Henderson to a multi-year endorsement deal worth an annual seven figures. Fast forward a year and some change and the Portland Trail Blazer’s third overall pick has become just the seventh player in the League’s history to debut his signature shoe amidst his first-ever NBA contest. Cementing the whirlwind of experiences and expectations over the past few years, the PUMA Scoot Zero officially releases this month.
Since forgoing his college blackdark and suiting up for the G-League Ignite for two seasons, Scoot Henderson has been ushered into the global basketball limelight rather quickly. Understanding the full breadth of his potential and off-court charisma, PUMA Basketball has positioned the Marietta, Georgia native alongside LaMelo Ball as the headliners of the Boston brand’s resurgence into the basketball space.
According to Nick DePaula, PUMA’s past two basketball activations at All-Star Weekend served as the introduction between Scoot, his family-forward unit and the PUMA Basketball banner. This past year’s meeting in Salt Lake City served as the initial ideating conversations surrounding the Scoot Zero, breaking down everything from Scoot’s initial preferences and colorways to eventual price points and technology
Mirroring Scoot’s blurring speed in transition, his debut signature follows suit with a litany of warped details that ascertain the raised (cushioning) midsole and teeth-like outsole triggers. Sharp, angled lines continue to anchor the mid-top model at the lenticular forefoot overlay and the revised form strip logo that boasts a thick jet-black outline.
Paying homage to the Georgia native’s southern roots, the Scoot Zero will debut next week in a titular “Georgia Peach” colorway. Treated in a soft “Peach Fizz” tint, the lighter of the two pink-centric hues concentrates along the textile and mesh base layer, inner lining and tongue while the mid-foot window, vamp and the jagged midsole receive a striking “Passionfruit” contrast. Tagged with jet-black S logos at the tongue and an outlined formstip at the medial heel, the tread stretches a pastel-infused lavender up along the midsole similar to the sole unit of the MB.03. What’s more, the Georgian connection is hinted at once more within the vibrant peach tree leaf heel tabs and mid-foot logos.
The PUMA Scoot Zero will debut in the inaugural “Georgia Peach” colorway on December 15th for a retail price of $100 USD. In the meantime, the pair can be seen ahead in detailed imagery.
For more upcoming signature offerings, the KD 3 “Christmas” releases on December 19th.
