Family Inspired Scoot Henderson's PUMA Sneakers

PUMA's family environment allowed NBA rookie Scoot Henderson's sneakers to flourish.

In 2022, PUMA made a major bet by signing an unproven teenager on the NBA G League Ignite roster to a sneaker deal. Fast forward one year, and that wager paid off when the Portland Trail Blazers selected Scoot Henderson with the third overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft. Henderson has already made history by becoming the 10th NBA rookie ever to get a signature shoe during his first season.

After months of anticipation, the PUMA Scoot Zeros are launching on December 15 for $100 in adult sizes and will also be sold in kids' and infants' sizes for fans of all ages. The performance basketball shoes will debut in the 'Georgia Peach' colorway, which honors Henderson's heritage and family. 

As part of the exciting announcement, FanNation Kicks spoke with Henderson about the Scoot Zeros, his familial relationship with PUMA, and the influence his sister had on his debut hoop shoe.

A detailed look at Scoot Henderson's PUMA sneakers / PUMA

You're only the 10th NBA rookie to get a signature shoe during his first season. What is that feeling like?

"Man, it feels feels pretty crazy. I try not to think about it too much. But I could just say that I'm blessed. I'm just glad I chose PUMA in the first place. Just trusting that they were like a family. I'm just glad that I made the right choice, and they blessed me to be a signature athlete."

You and your family recently teamed up with PUMA on a holiday giveback program, right?

"Yes, sir. At first, it was like a scoop-giving-back thing. Kids would write to me and tell me who they were as a person and what they learned in school. So they send a little kind of a report card, and we would just bless the families in need."

How hands-on were you with the design process of the Scoot Zeros?

"I was really hands-on, both me and my sister, China Henderson. She was huge in the process. I was pretty much there every single time. And when I wasn't, China was there. She has a lot of fashion sense and just knows how things should look and what things look good on the court. She played basketball as well. And I'm just going back to how much of a fashion diva she is. She just helped the process. So I just want to thank thank her as well. But I was pretty much hands-on every time."

What is your favorite part of the shoe's design?

"I like the Form Strip. I like the green flash in there with the leaf. That was a huge. You know all the colorways are fire, but you're going to see some more."

The 'Georgia Peach' colorway is inspired by your roots. Did you know you wanted that to be the first colorway to launch?

"Definitely. I just want to pay homage to where I'm from, and that's Georgia. That's just kind of shows up for all the players that are from Georgia."

Scoot Henderson models his PUMA sneakers / PUMA

Can you drop some hints on upcoming colorways?

"It's gonna be something you ain't never seen before."

What is your vision for the future of your signature sneaker line?

"I think my vision for the future of the Zeros is just going to be the shoe getting faster and just getting better. Not just with me but with Melo's shoes, with Breanna Stewart's shoes, and whoever's up to come, you know what I mean? But I think the things from my shoes are going to be this: I think they are very, very fun. I think they are very stylish, and you can wear them when you walk around. I know people don't do that no more, but I think my shoe might start that wave. You can lace them up, put a little flare over them, you know, I'm saying, and still still look fire."

Last question: what is your favorite PUMA sneaker to wear off the court?

"I like Kyle Kuzma’s Childhood Dreams drop. Yeah. But to answer your questions, the Suedes are probably my favorite. All the colors are fire."

LaMelo Ball's PUMA Sneakers Get 'Dexter’s Laboratory' Colorway