Official Look: Nike Kobe 3 Low "Electric Green" Protro

Beckham Black, the top-ranked high school basketball prospect in the Class of 2027, has put the rumors to rest: the "Grinch" Nike Kobe 3 Low Protro actually isn't part of a Christmas legacy. Instead, the pair forms part of the "Droppin' Gems" campaign developed by Nike Basketball and the Kobe Bryant Estate.

Over the last year, numerous pairs of the Kobe 3 Low have emerged in color schemes inspired by minerals and gemstones. Each pair has come with a motivational phrase from the "Black Mamba," tying the "Droppin' Gems" concept together. Black shared a photo of the message that accompanies the "Electric Green/Stadium Green" pair initially believed to be another "Grinch" Kobe: "Without studying, preparation, and practice, you’re leaving the outcome to fate. I don’t do fate."

It's unclear which exact gemstone or mineral(s) informed the eye-catching low-top, but it's possible the sneaker nods to malachite, emerald, or peridot.

Stay tuned for firm Nike.com launch details and enjoy official photos of the pair ahead. Download the House of Heat° app (iOS/Android) to stay on top of this and other releases.

Love it or hate it, the "Grinch" colorway has cemented itself in sneaker history since Kobe Bryant debuted it on-court in 2010. Since then, the vibrant mix of high-vis green and red have graced a handful of celebrated releases. Come September, it seems the Nike Kobe 3 Low Protro is joining the mix.

"Grinch" Kobes have been nicknamed as such because Bryant debuted the special-edition Kobe 6 for an NBA Christmas Day matchup and for their similarities to Dr. Seuss' villain-turned-hero of the same name, but it's inspiration lies in the deadly green mamba snake. Nevertheless, the green-and-red color scheme has been a fan-favorite way for Nike to energize select footwear styles. The trend should continue on a similarly-colored Kobe 3 Low.

Jalen Brunson of the New York Knicks has been pivotal in cementing the modern-age low-top in the sneaker zeitgeist—namely during his 2026 NBA Championship run. The "Grinch" Kobe 3 Low Protro may not officially form part of that Christmastime lineage due to its expected launch in September, but its mix of vibrant "Electric Green/Stadium Green" and inclusion of red laces make sense of the association.