PE Corner: The “Phoenix Mercury” Kobe VIII Protro

This duo of Kobe VIII player exclusives was made with the Phoenix Mercury in mind. One pair features an orange engineered mesh upper with a purple Swoosh on the lateral side, with similarly presented, but smaller branding on the medial ankle. Purple also shows up on the Kobe logo on the tongue as well as the Kobe signature on the external heel counter.  An orange midsole and white rubber outsole rounds out the aesthetic.  The second pair sports a white mesh upper adorned on the sides with orange Swooshes of…

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PE Corner: An initial look at the “EYBL” Air Jordan 11 Low IE

title image via sayitwityakickz This Air Jordan 11 Low IE was produced exclusively for the participants of the EYBL Academy.  They sport a slate blue upper that transitions to a lighter tone as the hue climbs the upper. A light barely green overlay equipped with mesh-backed cutouts occupies the lower portion of the upper.  Perched atop each respective tongue is a robustly embroidered Jumpman and an EYBL logo, along with a special EYBL hangtag.  Underneath resides a white midsole and a translucent outsole that transitions from blue-tinged to clear to…

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PE Corner: Sabrina 2s fit for a gold medalist

This iteration of the Sabrina 2 was made for New York Liberty star and newly minted Olympic gold medalist Sabrina Ionescu.  They sport a vibrant red mesh upper adorned on the lateral side with a golden Swoosh;’smaller such branding appears on the medial side, below the ankle, along with a matching Sabrina logo on the tongue.  Underneath the aforementioned upper resides a red midsole and a navy-tinted translucent rubber outsole.  Right now, there is no indication of a retail journey in the works for these, but we wouldn’t be upset…

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PE Corner: LeBron James takes the court in 2 new colors of the LeBron XXII

Before and during the gold medal match against France, LeBron James broke out two never-before-seen colorways of his new LeBron XXII sneaker.  In warm-ups before the game, James was seen in an all-iridescent pair paired with black at the inner, tongue, rear heel signature, and lateral side Swoosh outline.  The midsole, and its corresponding branding, also share the same visual feature. A blue translucent outsole with a visible safari print rounds out the aesthetic.  For the actual game, James pulled out an all-gold pair patterned with black at the tongue,…

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PE Corner: Caitlin Clark unveils Kobe VI Protro PEs, talks her favorite Kobes

Although Caitlin Clark will be amongst the rarefied air of athletes with a signature sneaker, she holds the Kobe line in the highest of regards.  Since she burst onto the national scene a few years ago, the Kobe line has been her on-court weapon of choice, with her taking to the hardwood in a variety of colorways for most of her amateur career and that has continued even into her time as a professional.  When recently asked about her favorite Kobe sneakers Clark said, “The ‘Bruce Lees’ ‘the ‘Del Sols’,…

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PE Corner: Anthony Davis’ orange Kobe VI Protro

For more than a season, Kobe VI had Anthony Davis in a stranglehold, which is certainly not a bad thing. Davis wore several PE variations, including being one of the first to wear the “Reverse Grinches.” Today’s highlighted shoe comes out of the AD PE quiver.   This Player Exclusive iteration of the Kobe VI Protro was made for Anthony Davis. They sport a vibrant orange snake scaled upper adorned on the sides with silver Swoshes. The same silver can also be seen on the Kobe logo that is perched atop…

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PE Corner: Trey Lyles is wearing these Kobe IV Protros in the Olympics

These Kobe IV Protros were made for Sacramento Kings power forward and Canadian national team member Trey Lyles. They feature a red, predominantly leather upper with Flywire-equipped side panels. On the aforementioned side panels reside white snake-scaled textured Swooshes. A Kobe logo appears on the tongue, while a Maple Leaf, the national symbol of Canada, can be seen on the rear heel. Kobe’s signature can be seen on the external heel cup, completing an upper that resides atop a white midsole and a white and black rubber outsole.  A retail…

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PE Corner: Jrue Holiday wears white “USA” Kobe IV Protro

We recently highlighted Jewell Loyd rocking a red iteration of the “USA” Kobe IV Protro in Olympic action and now fellow Olympian and two-time NBA Champion Jrue Holiday was spotted in a white-based iteration of these Kobes.  Its white upper is spread across a combination of leather and FlyWire-equipped side panels. The aforementioned side panels are home to red-bordered navy Swooshes on the lateral and medial sides. Navy also shows up on the Kobe logo perched atop the white tongue.  Underneath this upper resides a white midsole, as well as…

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PE Corner: Aja Wilson broke out LeBron XXII PE

Las Vegas Aces star and current Olympian Aja Wilson unveiled a Player Exclusive edition of the LeBron XXI. The USA themed sneaker sports a white upper with a navy bordered red portion that forms the shape Swoosh on the lateral side. Navy also shows up on the LeBron signature on the lateral side. A jeweled LeBron logo is seen on the tongue along with a small red Swoosh at the medial forefoot.  The aforementioned red portion is also integrated into the midsole, which features a Swoosh on the lateral side.…

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PE Corner: Jewell Loyd wears red “USA” Nike Kobe IV Protro

Seattle Storm guard and United States Women’s National Basketball team member Jewell Loyd rocked a USA-themed colorway of the Kobe IV Protro in international action.  They sport a red upper with FlyWire-equipped side panels. Navy-bordered white Swooshes adorn the aforementioned panels, with white also showing up on the Kobe logo perched atop the tongue. Red also takes care of the inner, while a stamped “24” on the rear heel wraps up the upper.  Below resides a white midsole and a red, blue and milky translucent rubber outsole.  As it currently…

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