Nike Celebrates Kobe Bryant with ‘Year of the Mamba’ Launch

• “Year of the Mamba” is a tribute to Kobe Bryant. It showcases refreshed footwear, apparel, and workouts based on the Mamba Mentality. It will officially release to the world in January 2025. 
• A nod to the Kobe 5 Protro “Year of Mamba,” this is one of the added additions to the complete collection of Kobe Protro silhouettes. It includes a high-end apparel signature line, with the Details Collection, that embodies the blend of function and aesthetic.

Nike has presented the recently launched “Year of the Mamba” collection to honour the late Kobe Bryant’s tireless legacy of “Mamba Mentality.” This campaign also provokes athletes to take the tough route in chasing their grandest dreams while taking Bryant’s spirit into account and weaving it into the rich cultural connotations of the Lunar New Year 2025, the Year of the Snake.

In this assemblage lies the Kobe 5 Protro “Year of Mamba”. The newly redesigned upper features a forefoot Zoom Air and Protro midfoot foam, improving its performance feel and court feel towards lightweight. The iridescent “Eggplant” colourway is decorated with graphic references to Bryant’s career and the Year of the Snake inscribed in Mandarin on the tongue, offering a familiar yet elevated aesthetic. There will be an additional “University Red” colourway released exclusively in China.

The apparel line mostly includes a jet-black Kobe jacket that features satin-like material on the outside with a padded lining for warmth during damp weather. This jacket features an embroidered scheme at the back that pays tribute to Bryant’s five championships, which includes a snake entwined with five rings as a symbol of his Mamba Mentality. The complementary items in the line include a T-shirt, crew, and fleece pants- all of which have the same design.

What would it be if you had taken a winter this time next year? Nike is making it known around this period in 20xx that the Details Collection, which would be associated with Bryant’s great attention to detail in improving every aspect of his game, would be peeking over the horizon. In terms of what you view as basketball apparel, it transforms on-court tear-away pants into modern, pleated designs. Imagine the classic shooting shirt turned into, yes, a dress, but with basketball mesh and allusions to the career of Bryant.

On top of that, the American sportswear corporation is launching two of the most sought-after designs in the Kobe Protro shoe series: the Kobe 9 Elite High Protro “Masterpiece” and the Kobe VI Protro “Sail”. The Kobe 9 Elite High Protro combines a modern React foam midsole and a new traction pattern; whereas the Kobe VI Protro carries on the heritage of the silhouette with the additions of two new colourway options, one of which is a tribute to Bryant and his namesake NBA All-Star Game trophy.

In that sense, the Mamba Mentality is best inculcated through taking part in weekly workouts via the Nike App. Athletes can follow the Kobe Interest and personally challenge themselves to adopt this relentless pursuit of excellence.

The silhouettes, as well as the ancillary articles, of the Kobe 5 Protro ‘Year of Mamba’ will be made available around the world starting January 9 through nike.com and selected retail destinations. The Kobe 9 Elite High Protro ‘Masterpiece’ and parts of the Details Collection will be made available from February 8, with sales starting from February 13 for the Kobe VI Protro ‘Sail’.

Feast on this collection that not only celebrates the legacy of Kobe Bryant but is also a reminder to athletes everywhere that they too can adopt the Mamba Mentality – day in and day out – as they push their limits in both sport and life, in this Year of the Mamba.