Matt Varga The Nike Kobe 9 EM Protro “Mambacita” releases on May 1st, 2025 (Gianna Bryant’s birthday) via SNKRS, retailing for $180. On top of carrying a weighty sentimental theme in dedicating to the younger, late Bryant, this kicks off the era of the Kobe 9 EM Protro, a retooled build of the overall newest member of the Kobe retro family. At the time of writing, it appears that this release will exclusively be coming via SNKRS stateside — a select crop of global retailers have posted info about their Nonetheless, we’ll have our “Where To Buy” widget stocked with direct links upon arrival — check further ahead for close-up shots of the shoe and a detailed breakdown of what it has to offer.
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WHERE TO BUY
Mens Nike Kobe 9 Elite Low EM Protro "Mambacita"
US 05/01/2025 Thursday
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| Retailer | Release type | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Nike SNKRS US | Standard | Check Site |
Official Images Of The Nike Kobe 9 EM Protro “Mambacita”
The Kobe 9 EM Protro “Mambacita” maintains the black and white color scheme from previous such releases, taken from the greyscale uniforms worn by the “Mamba Team” girls’ AAU squad that Kobe coached. It’s unquestionably a more creative application of the same concept, though, utilizing a marbled pattern on the sole and a gradient on the upper that almost calls to mind the “Fade To Black” series seen earlier on the Mamba’s signature series. The branding is where Beaverton creatives have experimented in this sub-set; this shoe sports Gianna’s nickname on the back heel, swapping to a her #2 jersey number within a heart on the right shoe. To close, a gilded hangtag displaying the same iconography is included, with a haloed counterpart pasted on the shoebox.
As the Kobe Bryant enterprise under the Swoosh has grown in recent years, so too is the younger Bryant’s. The brand is parlaying Gigi’s nascent basketball career and Kobe’s connection to the W that sprung from it for a run of Gigi Bryant basketball jerseys dropping alongside these shoes, also releasing on SNKRS for $120. Profits will go towards the Mamba & Mambacita Sports Foundation, an organization dedicated to creating opportunities for underserved athletes.
