It’s been decades since Puma has been involved in basketball, but this week, the brand did its best to let hoops fans know it Is coming back strong. And of the company’s plans, signing the four college prospects who were available in the 2018 NBA Draft is already making an impact.
Prior to the draft, Puma added Deandre Ayton, Marvin Bagley III, Michael Porter Jr. and Zhaire Smith to its ambassador squad. Two of those ballers, Ayton and Bagley, were taken No. 1 and No. 2 overall by the Phoenix Suns and Sacramento Kings, respectively.
Puma also had one more pick go in the draft lottery, which consists of the 14 teams that did not make the playoffs the season prior, when Porter was selected No. 14 overall by the Denver Nuggets.
Its fourth new rookie ambassador, Smith, was also taken in the first round, going to the Suns with the No. 16 pick.
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Having its four ambassadors selected in the first round was a big splash for Puma, which needed a major moment to get noticed in a category crowded by Nike, Jordan Brand, Adidas and Under Armour. (Adidas’ latest two hoops stars, Trae Young and Lonnie Walker IV, were also picked in the first round last night.)
This week, Puma unveiled its Clyde Court Disrupt, a performance basketball sneaker that’s an updated take on the iconic Clyde silhouette worn by New York Knicks legend Walt “Clyde” Frazier.
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Puma Nabs Basketball’s Projected No.1 Draft Pick Deandre Ayton With Multimillion-Dollar Deal
Report: Top NBA Prospect Marvin Bagley III Signs Puma Endorsement Deal
Puma Adds Top Prospect Michael Porter Jr. to Revamped Basketball Division
