Category: Kobe Bryant

Julius Randle credits Kobe Bryant with helping him navigate adversity

Brandon King

Dealing with a potentially career-ending injury, the process of establishing himself in the NBA, as well as a surprising trade, the nba career of Julius Randle has had its share of ups and downs. However, Randle credits tutelage from the late, great Kobe Bryant has helped Randle navigate the tough times.  Speaking with the media recently, Randle had this to say about tackling adversity in his career:  “I’ve battled through a lot in my career, to be honest. I mean my first game in my career, broke my leg, so…

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The best look yet of the 2025 “What The” Kobe IX Elite Protro 

Brandon King

The “What The” Kobe IX Elite Protro is making its very anticipated retail return later this month. Out in front of their release we get a look at ths sneaker, via tanztz, which features visual aspects from a multitude of colors of the Kobe IX Elite. poop           View this post on Instagram                         A post shared by ALL IN LIVE (@allinlivee) As it currently stands, the “What The” Kobe IX Elite Protro is set…

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“CHBL” Nike Kobe IV Protro: Official Images 

Brandon King

This Kobe IV was made in homage to the Chinese High School Basketball League. They sport yellow upper that fades to a lighter shade of the hue toward the collar and wrapping the heel. Black Swooshes adorn the sides, with black also standing in for the Kobe sign on the external heel counter, as well as the Kobe logo perched atop the tongue.  Kobe’s numbers “8” and “24” are stamped on each respective rear heel, while “Touch the Line,” which is a callback to a time in which Kobe was…

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“81 Points” Nike Kobe 1 Protro coming Spring 2026

Brandon King

Last seen in 2019, the “81 Points” Nike Kobe 1 Protro is in the works for a 2026 return. As can be gathered from its moniker, this was the colorway on the feet of the Black Mamba when he dropped 81 points on the Toronto Raptors, January 22, 2006.  They sport a white leather upper with black stitching. Black Swooshes adorn the lateral and medial sides, with a Kobe logo perched atop each respective tongue. Purple shoes up at the inner, while “UPTEMPO” appears in gold at the rear heel. …

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Vanessa Bryant shows the new color of the Kobe IX Elite

Brandon King

Thursday afternoon on her Instagram account, Vanessa unveiled an as yet not previously seen colorway of the Kobe IX Elite.  Appearing as more of an EXT take on the silhouette, as it is outfitted with a luxurious maroon suede with a supple-looking leather of th same hue wrapping the heel as well as the ankle. Adorning the sides are reflective Swooshes, while a metallic gold Kobe logo is perched atop the leather tongue.  Underneath this upper resides a maroon midsole with an external heel cup that features a Kobe signature…

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The “Year of the Horse” Kobe VIII Protro coming in 2026

Brandon King

Debuting back in 2014 in commemoration of the then Chinese Year of the Horse, this Kobe VIII is set to return in 2026 in Protro form.  At this early juncture, there are no available images, but what we should be presented is a recreation of its 2014 progenitor. As was the case in 2014, they should sport a multi-red knit upper. A large golden Swoosh adorns the lateral side, with a smaller version of the branding occupying the medial ankle. Gold also shows up on the Kobe logo perched atop…

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PE Corner: An initial look at the “Oregon” Kobe IX Protro Low EM PE

Brandon King

PE Corner: An initial look at the “Oregon” Kobe IX Protro Low EM PE This Kobe IX Low Proto was given to members of the Oregon Basketball teams.  They sport a green engineered mesh upper adorned on the sides with yellow Swooshes. Yellow takes care of the inner, with the same color showing up on the Oregon logo and Kobe logo that occupies each respective tongue. Nine dashes are seen on the rear heels, rounding out upper. Underneath the aforementioned upper resides a speckled green midsole with white external heel…

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3-D Hollywood” Nike Kobe VI Protro coming in 2026

Brandon King

image via mambakixx According to reporting from zsneakerheadz and Sneaker Files, this “3-D Hollywood” Nike Kobe VI is making its return in Protron form in 2026.  They originally released February 2011 as a set of Kobe VI colorways in conjunction with the 2011 NBA All-Star game. At this juncture there are no available images, what we should see is a faithful recreation of its 2011 progenitor, dark scales are present on the upper with chlorine blue Swooshes on the lateral and daring red branding on the medial side.  The Kobe…

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PE Corner: That time Kobe wore these Kobe VIs

Brandon King

Many of the subjects of our PE Corner segment have been Kobes, this is the first time a pair is being highlighted a pair worn by the man himself, the late, great Kobe Bryant.  This Mamba exclusive iteration of the Zoom Kobe VI sports a purple-scaled up in which the purple neatly appears black. Speaking of black, that is the hue of the Swooshes that adorns the sides. Black can also be worn via the leather overlay that wraps the heel, the Kobe logo that is perched atop the purple…

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An initial look at the “University Blue” Nike Kobe VIII Protro

Brandon King

This upcoming Kobe VIII Protro features a university blue engineered mesh upper with large, robustly embroidered Swooshes on the lateral side. With smaller such branding present on the medial side. A Kobe logo is perched atop the tongue, while a much larger iteration of the logo appears on the rear heel.  Underneath the aforementioned upper resides a university blue midsole and white rubber outsole.  The “University Blue” Nike Kobe VIII is planned to debut later this year. More information on these to come as it avails itself.  Images via FKZSNKRS

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