While Victor Wembanyama was an absolute lock to go first in 2023's NBA Draft, Scoot Henderson’s future wasn't 100% certain. The 19-year-old guard from the G League Ignite ended up being selected 3rd overall by the Portland Trailblazers.
One thing that was certain even before Henderson was draft was he was a Puma man. That decision was made in 2022 before Scoot was even draft-eligible. Because Henderson opted to play for the NBA G League’s development team instead of the NCAA, he was able to sign a shoe contract before being able to declare for the draft. College athletes can now sign NIL deals, but their respective institution’s relationship with sportswear brands precludes them from signing their own such deal.
Image via NBA.com
Scoot Henderson's Puma Deal
Henderson and Puma inked a multi-year deal worth “seven figures” annually, according to a report from The Athletic. The historic contract set a record for the most valuable given to a player not yet eligible to go professional. He was also the first G League Ignite player to be given a shoe deal, and reports indicate the value could reach eight figures annually if certain incentives are met.
Scoot Henderson's Puma Shoe
In the lead-up to the NBA Draft, Henderson headlined Puma’s introduction of the All-Pro Nitro. His player-exclusive will be the launch colorway for the model.
Just two weeks prior to the All-Pro Nitro’s unveiling, an image leaked purporting to show Henderson’s first signature sneaker, the Puma Scoot Zero.
When Does Scoot Henderson's Puma Signature Sneaker Release?
The Puma Scoot Zero will hit shelves December 2023 for $150, which makes Henderson the first player from his draft class to be given his own shoe. Wembanyama has been confirmed to stick with Nike as he joins the NBA, but reports also indicate that he’ll begin his journey in models from the GT series. Based on the recent precedent set by other signature athletes from Nike and Jordan brand, we can expect to wait until Wembanyama’s second season for his own model to arrive.
Ian Servantes is a writer and editor based out of Brooklyn. He's previously covered fashion, sneakers, and pop culture for outlets including Input, Highsnobiety, and Complex.
