Puma and Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball have teamed up with New York City’s favorite pizza-loving, skateboard-riding ninjas for an action-packed sneaker collection. This Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles x LaMelo Ball Puma collaboration features five limited-edition sneakers inspired by the beloved franchise, using three of LaMelo’s signature shoes.
Beginning February 1st, a new TMNT-inspired sneaker will drop each week. But the ultimate reward? Collecting each release brings fans one step closer to unlocking the final boss of the collection—the Shredder-inspired Puma MB.04.
Before diving into the details of these mutant kicks, let’s take a trip down memory lane and revisit the origins of the heroes in a half shell.
The Legacy of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
What started as a one-shot comic book in 1984, published by Mirage Studios, quickly became one of the most iconic franchises in pop culture. Originally intended as a standalone issue, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles gained immense popularity, leading to a multimedia empire.
The four brothers—Leonardo, Donatello, Michelangelo, and Raphael—were trained in ninjitsu by their master Splinter, a wise rat. Their success inspired a legendary action figure line, which grossed over $1 billion from 1988 to 1992, making it the best-selling toy series of that era.
The franchise expanded with an animated series in 1987, which ran for nearly ten years, followed by a video game in 1989 and a live-action film trilogy starting in 1990. More recently, the turtles returned in Hollywood reboots in 2014 and 2016, cementing their status as a timeless pop culture phenomenon.
Now, their legacy extends into sneaker culture with Puma’s latest TMNT-inspired collection. Let’s break down each pair.
Puma x Melo MB.01 x Baxter Stockman
Release Date: February 1st | Retail Price: $135
Kicking off the collection is a Baxter Stockman-inspired take on the MB.01, paying homage to the scientist-turned-mutant fly.
This pair features a black monomesh upper with iridescent accents in pink and blue, creating a futuristic aesthetic. The Baxter Stockman graphic appears on the tongue and heel, while TMNT and Puma branding complete the look. A woven-look midsole with speckled details adds a pop of color against the dark tones.
On the performance side, the engineered mesh ensures breathability, while NITRO FOAM cushioning provides responsiveness. A full-grip rubber outsole ensures traction, making this pair ready for both the court and the streets.
Puma x LaMelo Ball x TMNT MB.04 “Raphael & Donatello”
Release Date: February 8th | Retail Price: $135
The second drop in the collection represents the toughest and smartest turtles, Raphael and Donatello, in a split-colorway MB.04 design.
One shoe features red and green to represent Raphael, while the other boasts purple and green for Donatello. The multi-layered upper creates a 5D effect, with textures resembling tentacles. Hidden throughout the design are LaMelo’s signature phrases, “Rare” and “1 of 1.”
The tongues display an “R” on one shoe and “D” on the other, while the outsole features a spaceship graphic with “Not From Here” inscribed underneath. The flame-like details near the heel and wavy lines at the front add even more personality to this bold sneaker.
Puma x LaMelo Ball x TMNT MB.04 “Leonardo & Michelangelo”
Release Date: February 15th | Retail Price: $135
Another split-colorway MB.04, this time paying tribute to Leonardo and Michelangelo—the leader and the party dude.
One shoe sports a blue and green theme for Leo, while the other rocks orange and green for Mikey. The upper features a multi-layered woven mesh construction, offering a dynamic, futuristic look.
Similar to the Raphael & Donatello pair, the tongues display “L” and “M” initials, with hidden “Rare” and “1 of 1” graphics. The midsole and outsole follow the same pattern, featuring flame accents and “Not From Here” branding.
Puma x LaMelo Ball x TMNT MB.03 Low “Krang”
Release Date: February 22nd | Retail Price: $125
Inspired by Krang, the alien warlord from Dimension X, this MB.03 Low is the most out-of-this-world sneaker in the collection.
The upper is covered in ultraviolet monomesh, while the pink textured leather mudguard and toe box mimic Krang’s iconic brain-like appearance. The eyestays feature yellow eyes, adding a sinister touch.
The tentacle-like midsole details with purple speckles create a design straight out of Dimension X. Performance-wise, this pair is built for the court with NITRO FOAM cushioning and a full rubber outsole for enhanced traction.
A Must Cop for Sneaker Heads and TMNT Fans
Puma, LaMelo Ball, and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles have delivered one of the most exciting sneaker collaborations of the year. Whether you’re a lifelong TMNT fan, a sneaker collector, or a hooper looking for a fresh pair on the court, this collection brings style, nostalgia, and performance together in one shell-kicking package.
Which pair are you copping? Stay tuned as each drop brings you one step closer to unlocking the Shredder-inspired MB.04! Check out our weekly sneaker rundown for more drops.
