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The NBA off-season has been prime time for signature sneakers, and LaMelo Ball is never one to shy away from the spotlight. Continuing his off-court line with Puma through his LaFrancé lifestyle label, the youngest Ball brother is dropping a triple white colorway of the LaFrancé RNR before the month is out.
The LaFrancé RNR was designed to look extraterrestrial and marketed under the tagline “Not From Here,” and you can see the space rock influence in the bulky, textured midsole. On the sides of the shoe, a wavy suede midpanel stretches around the upper, with mesh peaking through a series of cutouts, while “LaFrancé” is spelled out in a sharp font with raised plastic below thick rope laces. You can see Jordan 10 influences if you squint; maybe if a Jordan 10 got hit with the stuff from The Last of Us.
LaMelo’s off-court style is heavy on designer, and you can see the influence across his lifestyle offerings. His original LaFrance sneaker leaned into the aesthetics of Lanvin’s chunky skate shoe-inspired Curb model and other Y2K silhouettes. On the other hand, the RNR’s oversized vibe, attention to detail, and texture looks like it came straight from a Balenciaga showroom. The LaFrancé RNR debuted earlier this month with a kid-friendly tan colorway splashed with orange, blue, and yellow, but the white on white version is a little more wearable.
The Puma LaFrance RNR Flare releases August 15, 2025, through Puma and select retailers online and in-store. The retail price is set at $120 for adult sizes and $100 for GS. Download the Sole Retriever mobile app to stay updated on the latest releases, raffles, news, and more in the sneaker and streetwear world.
Zach Harris is a writer based in Philadelphia. His work has appeared in Rolling Stone, Vice, Complex, High Times, and more. He is obsessed with skateboarding and bowling. He is still looking for his first 300. For tips, reviews, and anything in size 10.5 - zach.h@soleretriever.com
