Zach Harris is a writer based in Philadelphia. His work has appeared in Rolling Stone, Vice, Complex, High Times, and more. He is obsessed with skateboarding and bowling. He is still looking for his first 300. For tips, reviews, and anything in size 10.5 - zach.h@soleretriever.com
The NBA off-season has been prime time for signature sneakers from hoop superstars, bringing out new silhouettes from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Ja Morant, Jayson Tatum, and more. Puma got in on the action with the new Salehe Bembury-designed Tyrese Haliburton signature shoe, but when it comes to moving pairs to the next generation of ballers, LaMelo Ball is still the Puma-sponsored star with his finger on the pulse of the youth.
LaMelo’s latest colorway of his Puma MB.05 is a bright, tie-dyed colorway perfect for school hallways and youth hoops tournaments. Labeled the Encore colorway, the bold pair starts with a red base on the upper and covers it with an all-over print tie-dye in purple that gives us Rorschach test vibes. The midsole gets a full red treatment, and the only other color comes from yellow accents across the TPU wings covering the tongue, plus the LaMelo logos and catch-phrases that dot the upper.
Puma MB.05 Encore
The most successful Ball brother in the NBA stat books, LaMelo has struggled to accumulate accolades that match his skill level thanks to the flailing nature of the Charlotte Hornets. Off the court, though, LaMelo has become one of the most popular players in the league with young fans, and Puma has gone all in on his image, launching performance shoes and lifestyle lines under LaMelo’s label.
The Puma MB.05 Encore will be released November 6, 2025 through Puma and select retailers in-store and online. Available in a full family size run, the retail prices are set at $130 (men), $110 (GS), and $90 (PS). For all the latest NBA signature shoe news and release dates, download the Sole Retriever mobile app.
