A New Year, A New Lineup: Nike Basketball Unveils 2025 Releases
It’s time to lace up and get ready for a new year of sneaker drops from Nike Basketball. The brand is wasting no time in diving into its 2025 releases, starting with the highly anticipated Nike Kobe 5 Protro “Year of the Mamba” drop this week. But that’s not all – Nike has also revealed its entire Year of the Mamba collection, as well as two upcoming shoe releases and an apparel capsule.
The Year of the Snake: Nike Pays Tribute to Kobe Bryant’s “Mamba Mentality”
As we enter the Year of the Snake, Nike is putting Kobe Bryant’s “Mamba Mentality” front and center. According to Bronson Yim, product line manager for Kobe footwear, this collection is not about wishing athletes good luck – it’s about challenging them to embrace the Mamba Mentality and unlock their goals.
Year of the Mamba Collection: A Closer Look
The Nike Kobe 5 Protro is presented in two colorways – “Eggplant” and “University Red” – both featuring a golden snake on the lateral side and a Mandarin on the tongue, paying homage to the Year of the Snake. The special packaging also features red and gold accents. While the “Eggplant” pair will be available globally this week, the “University Red” version is an exclusive release for China.
“Mamba Mentality” Apparel Capsule
In addition to the sneakers, Nike Basketball is also releasing an apparel capsule featuring a satin-like jacket with a quilted interior, adorned with Kobe’s logo and “Mamba Mentality” text. The golden snake design on the back of the jacket includes five rings, representing Kobe’s five championships with the Los Angeles Lakers. The capsule also includes a crewneck, fleece pants, and t-shirt in white, black, and red.
More Kobe Protro Styles on the Way
But that’s not all – Nike has two more Kobe Protro styles dropping soon. The Kobe 6 Protro “All-Star 2.0” pays tribute to Kobe’s namesake NBA All-Star Game trophy with a star pattern on its off-white base. The Kobe 9 Elite Protro “Masterpiece” is also making a comeback, featuring a mostly-black colorway with multicolor accents and updated traction and midsole technology.
Mark Your Calendars
The rollout of these releases begins this week with the Nike Kobe 5 Protro “Year of the Mamba” and its accompanying apparel on January 9. The Nike Kobe 9 Elite Protro “Masterpiece” will be available on February 8, followed by the Nike Kobe 6 Protro “All-Star 2.0” on February 13, just in time for NBA All-Star Weekend. Don’t miss out on these must-have kicks and gear to kick off the new year in style.
