Official Images of Gigi Bryant's Nike Kobe 4 Protro "Mambacita"

Update: Nike confirms that the Nike Kobe 4 Protro “Mambacita” is slated to launch on May 1, 2023 in celebration of Gigi Bryant’s birthday. Proceeds from the launch will go towards the Mamba & Mambacita Sports Foundation.

 

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Update: After popping up two months ago, Nike has now shared its breakdown of Gigi Bryant’s Nike Kobe 4 Protro “Mambacita.” It features several nods to Gigi — outlined in our original breakdown below — including a special Mambacita sockliner, shoe box and “Gigi” aglets. This pair is still expected to drop in celebration of Gigi’s birthday — May 1 — and will be priced at $180 USD via Nike and select retailers.

Original Story: Nike and Kobe Bryant‘s estate have intentions of expanding the Black Mamba’s signature line with a plethora of more colorways this year, and the latest to trickle out serves as another love letter to his late daughter Gigi Bryant. After honoring her last fall with the release of the Nike Kobe 6 Protro “Mambacita Sweet 16” iteration, the Swoosh has now cooked up a new court-appropriate offering that honors her: the Nike Kobe 4 Protro “Gigi.”

 

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Early images of the pair have revealed the kicks’ striking set of details. The uppers are designed done up in Team Mamba colors to call her out her former AAU squad. Direct nods to Gigi are positioned on the heels in the former of her moniker that is embroidered into the heightened half while her “2” is drenched in gold and comes printed closer to the soles. A crisp white hue covers the collars, perforated toe boxes Kobe-signed heel cups, mesh tongues and the quarter panels, the latter of which offers a smoother presentation in comparison to the previously released Kobe 4s that expose their Flywire technology. Black accents seep into the laces, Swooshes, and collars, while gingham patterns wrap around the rear for extra flair.

These are rumored to drop on May 1, 2023 in celebration of her birthday, but Nike still has to confirm this.

Elsewhere in sneakers, the Nike Air Humara “Midnight Navy” is getting a retro release.