Sneaker News When Nike and Kobe Bryant officially launched the Protro program in 2018, it essentially planted the seeds of what would eventually become the Kobe Brand. With endless storytelling opportunity and a rich lineage of footwear beloved by all, the future for this newfound sub-division of Nike Basketball looks incredibly promising.
For the uninformed, Protro is short for “Performance Retro”; Kobe didn’t want Nike to just re-release his most iconic and coveted shoes; he challenged the innovation team to make them better suited for the modern game. For the Kobe 9, Nike swapped out the LunarLon used in the original 2013/2014 pairs and swapped it out for the updated React foam. Additionally, Nike made changes to the outsole traction to make it even grippier for those full stops on a dime.
History Of The Nike Kobe 9 “Masterpiece”
The “Masterpiece” was the official launch colorway of the Kobe 9. Officially unveiled at a special media-only launch event at the LA Museum of Contemporary Art in Fall of 2013, the colorway was inspired by Kobe’s unique taste and eye for fine arts. The original release of the shoes came in February 2024, preceded by eight installments of the unforgettable Nike Kobe “Prelude” Pack. Some likened the colorway to the “Chaos” as it featured familiar shades similar to the Joker-themed Kobe V.
From December 2013 through February 2014, Nike dropped each installment in number order each Saturday, leading up to the official release of the Kobe 9 on February 8th, 2014. Each Kobe Prelude release featured a unique colorway that interpreted a specific moment of Kobe’s career that occurred during the shoe’s active years.
Where To Buy The Shoes
The Nike Kobe 9 Elite Protro “Masterpiece” is officially releasing on February 8th, 2025 on SNKRS and select retailers. Both Adult ($240) and Grade School ($120) sizes are expected to launch.
WHERE TO BUY
Mens Nike Kobe 9 Elite "Masterpiece"
US 2025
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| Retailer | Release type | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Nike SNKRS US | Standard | Check Site |
WHERE TO BUY
Grade School Nike Kobe 9 Elite Protro "Masterpiece"
US 02/08/2025 Saturday
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| Retailer | Release type | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Nike SNKRS US | Coming Soon | Coming Soon |
| Sneaker Politics | Standard | Check Site |
| Concepts | In Store Only | Offline Only |
| Extra Butter | Standard | Check Site |
