Matt Varga As we stare down 2025, the signature basketball landscape is broader and deeper than ever, but Scoot Henderson occupies a unique place within it. He is the only active signature athlete to walk into the NBA with a signature shoe, having inked a deal with PUMA as a member of the G-League Ignite. The Scoot Zeros’ run was defined by highly eccentric palettes and unexpected collaborations – joining hands with NBA 2K and Flamin’ Hot Cheetos, tying the knot between Henderson’s on-court wear and some off-the-court passions.
However, as any NBA veteran would tell you, it’s not about how you start but how you finish. With Scoot kicking off his second season in Portland and continuing to establish himself among the league’s most promising talents, his footwear journey is also marching on. Already debuted on-court, the PUMA Scoot Zeros II is set to release to the public on December 20th. We got the chance to catch up with Scoot and dive into how this shoe came about. Stick around after the interview for a full breakdown and further release info.
Take us inside the design process for the Scoot Zeros II. Were you just as involved this time around? Any lessons you learned from the Scoot Zeros that you and the team carried into the sequel?
Definitely still very involved with this one. Getting a signature shoe was just such an accomplishment, but there was still a ton to take away from the process after it actually released. If I had to pick one, I’d say the marketing aspect is something I stepped into a lot more this time around, having a bit more say in how the Scoot Zeros II should be presented to the world.
Were there any specific points of emphasis tech-wise you had in mind with this second shoe?
I think it’s a lot more technical than the first one. The Scoot Zeros had to perform, but the main goal was just to feel right and look right. With the Zeros II, we focused on changing the webbing and the eyelids to act more like a glove when you tie them. Other shoes on the market might focus on anchoring the ankle or the toe, but the Scoot Zeros II fits the whole foot rather than just specific areas. The Puma team did a great job behind the scenes, and I’ve really been feeling the difference rocking them all season.
What would you say is your number one priority or need in a basketball shoe?
Having a cutting-edge look was really important – being able to make a shoe that could support graphics and details you wouldn’t necessarily expect. I mean, the eyelets almost look like wings – it’s things like that I feel like people are going to love. And color, definitely – it can feel good, but it’s gotta be something I can wear off the court as well. Performance-wise, it’s back to that lockdown aspect. Explosiveness has always been a priority in my game, so having the utmost faith in my shoes, that I can do anything on-court without worrying about whether they’ll hold up, is a major plus.
As you go from having just the one signature shoe to a signature line, what would you say is the calling card of a Scoot shoe? Something that can be spotted from a mile away, and instantly, someone would think, “that’s his?”
Probably the FormStrip. We used some iridescent colors there for the Scoot Zeros that I personally loved, and I think how unique we can get with that in the future is something people will latch onto.
I’m sure you can’t give the game away when it comes to pairs coming out down the line, but what excites you about some of the debut colorways?
The one that I’m super excited about is the 2K colorway, we were happy to join back up with them. There’s a bit of a mismatch theme going on, with some crazy patterns on the upper that I think push the envelope even more than our last collab. Honestly, much as I’m excited to wear them, I’m looking forward to seeing them in the actual game itself. But more than anything, I’m just excited to hear and see people’s reactions to the Scoot Zeros II. I think they’ll connect with sneaker collectors and older basketball fans on top of the younger crowd.
Now revealed in full, the tech and enduring vibrant designs that Scoot references are clearly on display. The 2K collaboration that he references is, in fact, the launch edition. Its alternating colorway between neon green and hot pink makes a strong impression in bringing the model to the public. Additionally, PUMA pulled back the curtain on the finer aspects: the fast eye-row and webbed lockdown stand out as central features, but reimagined Henderson 7 traction design and Puma Grip Rubber underfoot ensure top-of-the-line on-court performance.
As mentioned towards the top, the 2K x PUMA Scoot Zeros II release on December 20th, dropping in adult ($120) and grade school sizing via PUMA and Foot Locker channels. Grab yours using the “Where To Buy” section embedded just below.
WHERE TO BUY
NBA 2K x Puma Scoot Zero II
US 12/20/2024 Friday
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| Retailer | Release type | Status |
|---|---|---|
| PUMA | Standard | Coming Soon |
| Champs | Standard | Coming Soon |
| Foot Locker | Standard | Coming Soon |
