Nike has plans to release yet another signature shoe line to honor the late Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna called the Nike Kobe 8 Protro ‘Mambacita’. As many NBA fans will remember Kobe, his daughter, and several others were killed in a tragic helicopter incident on January 26, 2020. Although it has been more than three years since this unfortunate tragedy, losing them is still hard for members of the basketball community to accept.
Since fans wanted the legacy of Kobe Bryant to live on, his widow Vanessa signed an undisclosed deal with Nike to continue the production and sales of his iconic signature shoe line. We will be entering the 2023-2024 season soon and most of us know that Bryant wore #24 for the second half of his career.
In order to honor him and Gianna Bryant, Nike plans to release the Nike Kobe 8 Protro ‘Mambacita’ next year. With that being said, let us take a closer look and find out additional details surrounding this upcoming signature shoe model.
How much will Kobe Bryant’s Nike Kobe 8 Protro ‘Mambacita’ cost?
Although the name might suggest that this signature shoe is for Kobe Bryant fans, it is actually catering to young girls and women hence the name Mambacita. Although Gigi was only 13 years old when she passed away, many believe that she had the potential to be a great basketball player and play in the WNBA.
RELEASE DATE: The Nike Kobe 8 Protro “Mambacita” will release May 1st, 2024 🐍 ⭐
📝 FV6325-100(MENS)
🎨 White/Metallic Gold-Black
🗓️ May 1st, 2024
💰 $190 USD
💵COP OR 🚮DROP? pic.twitter.com/RK0Bn9XlhQ— KicksFinder (@KicksFinder) September 16, 2023
As a result, the Nike Kobe 8 Protro ‘Mambacita’ is for young girls from across the world who share the same desire. We can tell from the images that have been released that the shoe is primarily a combination of White and Metallic Gold. While some fans might be eager to purchase this shoe, they will have to wait until May 2024 for it to become available.
Would you hoop in these?🏀🎯
Nike Kobe 8 Protro “Mambacita” pic.twitter.com/J0TQrwHfI9— Sneaker Pick (@SneakerPick) September 17, 2023
The shoe is also reported to cost $190, making it significantly more expensive when compared to the average signature shoe endorsed by professional athletes. While there was a fair share of positive responses for the Nike Kobe 8 Protro ‘Mambacita,’ some fans pointed out that Gianna should be given her own shoe line instead of being included as a part of Kobe’s Nike shoes.
That might be a good idea and prevent confusion. However, Nike is unlikely to take this suggestion seriously since it would be far more difficult to create a new signature shoe line for Gianna as opposed to having a few models honoring her in their Kobe Bryant line.