PUMA debuts Ralph Sampson OG, a reissue of the iconic court silhouette from the 80’s. Celebrating NBA Hall-of-Famer Ralph Sampson’s legacy, the retro sneakers are pulled straight from the archive and relaunched in its original glory as a sport- inspired street style.
A basketball legend from the 80’s, Ralph Sampson played for The Houston Rockets. His incredible height of 7-foot-4 and striking agility allowed him to tower over the rest of the players, elevating the game to unprecedented heights. As the first pick of the NBA Draft in ’83, he averaged 21.0 points and 11.1 rebounds, winning Rookie of the Year in ’84 and NBA All-Star Game MVP in ’85.
While signing Sampson took PUMA to the next level in the Basketball world, it also witnessed the birth of a brand-new line of eponymous court shoes – the PUMA Ralph Sampson. Custom made for his needs on the court and tailored to fit his size 17 feet, the sneakers with mid-height construction for ankle support and a lightweight design for speed and agility are stamped with his signature at the side.
Proving the shoes versatility as a fashion statement over 30 years later, the reissue marks its crossover from court to streets for a new generation of basketball fans who care about off-court style as much as on-court performance. Staying true to its heritage look, the mid-top sneakers are given a retro run with a full leather upper, retaining its clean, classic look. For the first time since 1985, the Puma White- Gray Violet-Peacoat colorway returns in true OG form.
The Ralph Sampson OG drops exclusively at KITH on April 13 and will be available globally on PUMA.com, PUMA stores and retailers starting April 27.
