Sneaker News Updated July 19th, 2024: Nike athlete Caitlin Clark is one of a select few to receive the Kobe 6 Protro “WNBA All-Star” PE. Clark, who exclusively wears Kobe footwear, shared an image of the shoes on her Instagram Stories. She was spotted in the shoes during a shootaround. The WNBA All-Star Game is scheduled for July 20th, 2024 at 8:30 PM ET; it will air on ABC.
There’s more attention on the 2024 WNBA All-Star Game than ever before, largely due to the new class of ballers bringing a newfound fanbase to the women’s league. With that added attention comes heightened focus by the surrounding industry, like when Nike became an equity investor in the league two years ago and New Balance just recently announcing a multiyear partnership.
The world of sneakers is staking its claim, with new signature athletes being welcomed into the business. The Sabrina 2 remains one of the top new signature basketball shoes on the market for both men and women, A’ja Wilson’s getting her own shoe next year, Breanna Stewart’s already on her third model with Puma, and of course Caitlin Clark’s due for her pair somewhere down the line.
Jordan Brand’s joining the fun with a special Air Jordan 3 inspired by the desert landscape of the All-Star Game’s host city of Phoenix, and just now Vanessa Bryant reveals on her Instagram Stories a special Kobe 6 Protro made just for the women’s mid-season classic.
Doused in a hot pink upper with a green accent on the Swoosh and heel, this Kobe 6 Protro should evoke memories of equally bold takes on the model such as the Kobe 6 “Barcelona” and even the more recent Reverse Grinches. Revealed in sizes for adults and kids, this Kobe 6 is likely for the Bryant family and a select few only. It’s unclear if this colorway will see any action from Nike athletes this Saturday.
Kobe Bryant has long been a supporter of the WNBA as his daughter Gigi had serious aspirations within the game. One of the last public photos of Kobe featured the late great in the orange WNBA hoodie.
