UPDATE 8/14: Nike has updated the release information for the products that will launch on “Mamba Week.” Five colorways of the Kobe V Protro will release along with a limited edition LA Lakers City Edition jersey. The jersey is presented in black with gold trim along the arm cut-out sectional and purple along the neck line along with Kobe’s number 8 on the front and 24 on the back. It’ll release on Mamba Day, 8/24 via SNKRS app. Footwear will release in the following order to celebrate Bean’s achievements on and off the court.

 

 

Kobe V Protro “Big Stage” (August 23)

This black, white and gold pair commemorates the 10-year anniversary of Kobe’s fifth ring and highlights his achievements from the 2009-2010 season in tattoo formatting on the upper. It’ll be available in North America through SNKRS app and select retailers.

 

 

Kobe V Protro “5x Champ” (August 24)

Heavy in the Lakers gold and purple, this pair is complemented with a translucent outsole and celebrates the “Mamba Mentality” that KB brought on and off the court. It draws inspiration from the iconic Jeff Hamilton 2001 championship jacket Bryant famously wore in the showers. You can cop this must-have through SNKRS app in North America.

 

 

 

Kobe V Protro x UNDEFEATED “What If” Pack (August 27)

LA-based retailer UNDEFEATED has a storied history of releasing Kobe’s Nikes. To celebrate the life of their hometown hero, a “What If” pack will release to take us down memory lane. A Charlotte Hornets iteration marks the team that drafted and traded Kobe in 1996 while a multi-color variant highlights the regret of the 12 teams that passed on the Hall-of-Famer. These will be available through UNDEFEATED.

 

 

Kobe V Protro “Girls EYBL” (August 29)

His fierce glare meant it was over for opposing teams and Nike celebrates that ferocity with a Medusa-inspired colorway. Paralyzing opponents in this green and yellow colorway will bring back all your favorite memories of Bean. It’ll arrive in North America via SNKRS app as well.

 

 

All the sneakers will retail for $180 each and the jersey will be $120.

 

 

August 24 is celebrated by many basketball fans as “Mamba Day” thanks to the 8 and 24 in the month and date that represented the jersey numbers adorned by the late Kobe Bryant and retired into the rafters by the Los Angeles Lakers.

 

After his tragic passing earlier this January, Nike, who Bryant has been a part of since 2003, pulled all of his product that was in the pipeline. Now, Nike has announced that they will celebrate the legacy of the “Black Mamba” with a week-long “Mamba Week” starting on August 23. Kobe introduced the world to his “Mamba Mentality” in 2012 and Nike will channel that pursuit for perfection and hunger for this celebration of life.

 

Traveling three different avenues, Nike is firstly donating $1 million to the Mamba and Mambacita Sports Foundation. In memory of both Kobe and his daughter Gianna, the foundation continues to provide equal opportunities for girls and those that are underserved through sports. Nike will also continue to promote Kobe’s Mamba League in Los Angeles which he established with the brand in 2017 at the Boys & Girls Club. The league offers girls and boys the opportunity to learn the fundamentals of the game of basketball and share that love for the sport the same way Bryant did. Finally, Nike will bring back Kobe Bryant products, including his Nike Kobe Protro line of sneakers and his iconic Lakers jerseys. In the press release, the Swoosh said the following:

 

“One of Kobe’s enduring legacies are the products that he created with Nike. Bryant was a driving force behind each shoe’s creation, guiding Nike’s design and innovation teams to make the best product possible. Kobe’s relentless pursuit of perfection is credited by many throughout the Nike design community for making them better at what they do.”

 

We’ll keep you updated on “Mamba Week” once it kicks off next weekend.

 

Photos via Nike