Stripes to Swoosh: The History of Kobe Sneakers
From teenage sensation to five-time champion, the sneakers Kobe Bryant wore on his way to the top.
In 1996, a talented high school senior shared some exciting news at a press conference turned prep rally. "I'm Kobe Bryant,” the 17-year-old told his classmates and media members. “I decided to take my talents to um [...] No, I have decided to skip college and take my talents to the NBA."
Bryant’s decision to forgo college as a shooting guard was shocking. Historically, only big men had made the leap from prep to pro. The decision was backed by adidas, which had been working behind the scenes on a deal poised to pay Kobe $48 million over the course of six seasons. In that span, Kobe won the 1997 Slam Dunk contest, launched his own signature sneaker line, appeared in four All-Star Games (1998, 2000, 2001, 2002) and won three NBA titles (2000, 2001, 2002).
By year six, the star had cooled on the direction of his partnership. Bryant famously ended his endorsement deal with adidas the next season and began a year of footwear free agency. After wearing player-exclusive pairs from Jordan Brand and Reebok as well as favorites from AND1 and Converse, Bryant decided to sign with Nike.
In his first few years with the Swoosh, Kobe resurrected the Huarache franchise, landed his own signature series and launched the Hyperdunk. Taking home two more titles and winning his lone MVP trophy in Nike, the Black Mamba ended his career in 2016 as one of the most decorated players in hoop history.
As we remember the legacy of one of the most dedicated and influential basketball players of all time, discover the essential Kobe sneaker catalog below.
Are there any new Kobe releases?
The latest releases can be found on our dedicated Kobe shoes page. Upcoming and recent Kobe basketball sneaker releases include:
What is the difference between the Zoom Kobe 6 and the Zoom Kobe 6 Protro?
The Zoom Kobe 6 Protro includes a more responsive Zoom Air cushioning system than the Zoom Kobe 6, as well as scaled-down traction for improved feel on the court. Additionally, the shape of the Zoom Kobe 6 Protro is slightly altered for a lower and sleeker fit.
What basketball shoes does Caitlin Clark wear?
Caitlin Clark wore the Kobe 5 'Bruce Lee' when she broke the women's NCAA scoring record. She has also been seen wearing the Kobe 6 'Reverse Grinch' during games. On August 30, Clark debuted a new light blue Nike Kobe Protro 6 PE on court in the Indiana Fever's game against the Chicago Sky.
What does Protro mean?
Protro means “Performance Retro,” a type of model developed by Nike and Kobe Bryant. Protro shoes take classic Kobe silhouettes and update them with modern sneaker performance technology while keeping the original aesthetic intact. This aligns with Kobe’s constant pursuit of improvement, allowing athletes to have the benefit of newer sneaker technology while maintaining the look of iconic shoes and colorways.
What is releasing as part of the Kobe Team Bank collection ?