The Phoenix Suns star gives Boardoom the inside story on his evolving role as one of Puma’s highest-profile athletes.
After initially signing on with Puma as the No. 1 pick of the 2018 NBA Draft, Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton has re-upped with the brand on a new multi-year deal.
“It’s pretty lit,” he beamed. “It’s truly a blessing as well.”
As he discussed with Boardroom, from his starting points growing up idolizing Usain Bolt and his association with Puma throughout the Caribbean, to the recent strides the company has made in a quick three-year span since it relaunched its basketball category, Ayton is eager to continue his run in helping to headline the Puma Hoops fam.
“I’m just trying to make sure I can expand my brand, with my performance on the court,” he added. “I’m trying to be a Defensive Player of the Year, and the best two-way player I can be, to be honest. Work off the court and create my own shoe someday. Not only that, I’m trying to be an All-Star as well, and take it as far as there as well, and see what amazing things we can do from there.”
After landing on a lottery laden roster, Ayton and the Suns have been on the upswing, capping off their sudden rise with a trip to the NBA Finals this past summer, and following up their playoff push with one of the league’s best records through the opening months of this season.
“When we sign athletes to our brand, it’s not just about talent. We take many factors into account including personality, which really matters to us,” said Adam Petrick, Puma’s Global Director of Brand & Marketing. “When we sat down for our first meeting with him, we knew he was a great fit from his on-court performance, to his larger-than-life personality, to his commitment in giving back to his community. We are truly excited to continue to have Deandre as part of our PUMA family.”
As Deandre details, a big component of the new extension will be carving out a series of community givebacks in Phoenix and around the country, as well as in his homeland of the Bahamas and eventually in Africa, where his father hails from.
He and his mother Andrea are known to take families on Puma shopping sprees whenever they’re near a flagship store, with even more plans ahead for impacting people through his brand deal.
“Seeing that, I remember how we grew up,” added Ayton. “I grew up off of second-hand clothes, and for us to be in a position to help families and put smiles on their faces, it’s like a dream I never thought would’ve came true.”
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