Check Out the Nike Kobe 6 Protro "EYBL"

After having to cancel its 2020 season due to the coronavirus, Nike‘s EYBL (short for “elite youth basketball league”) program is set to resume play in 2021 — and its players will be taking the court in something special, namely the Kobe 6 Protro “EYBL.” Nike Basketball has long produced special colorways of signature models from Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and other’s lines for the EYBL, but this style is more poignant than most: Kobe Bryant‘s endorsement deal with Nike recently expired, and his widow Vanessa Bryant is in the process of trying to continue his signature line.

Surrounding story aside, the Kobe 6 Protro “EYBL” offers a scaly synthetic upper with a purple gradient fade that’s lighter towards the top of the foot and grows much darker as it descends towards the black midsole. Tongues and throats are presented in a light lilac color, while branding is handled by a white midfoot Swoosh and Kobe’s Kill Bill-inspired sheath logo in black on the tongue. Heels are done up in black, and overlaid by a black TPU heel cage with silver speckling and a silver EYBL logo. Down below, the aforementioned midsoles feature enhanced Zoom Air cushioning units for a modernized on-court feel while also adding their own silver speckled detailing for extra style.

At the time of writing, it has yet to be determined if this EYBL sneaker is purely a PE for members of the league or if it’ll see a retail release like some of the past EYBL models. However, more news will likely surface as the league’s summer season draws closer and closer.

For more from under the greater Nike Inc. umbrella, check out official images of the Air Jordan 1 Low OG “Shattered Backboard.”