Nike Honors Kobe Bryant's "Lord of the Rings" Nickname with This Air Force 1

The Nike Air Force 1 Low was born on the basketball court, but it made a name for itself on the streets of cities like New York and Baltimore. In July 2002, at Harlem's Rucker Park, Kobe Bryant helped bridge both worlds when he participated in the Entertainer’s Basketball Classic, a streetball tournament. The Los Angeles Laker went on to drop 31 points and earned himself the "Lord of the Rings" nickname, given to him by the tournament's announcer, Hannibal.

Come Fall 2026, Nike Sportswear is expected to drop a special Air Force 1 to honor the occasion, according to Sole Retriever. The sneaker takes on a "White/Safety Orange" color scheme that mimics the AF-1 Mid Bryant laced up for that July '02 game—a pair he actually borrowed from Tiny Bum, an attendee. A speculative mock-up of the project posits that the commemorative shoe will feature faux scales across the upper and Bryant's signature molded onto the midsole. A reworked outsole and ReactX removable insole should join the mix as they've appeared on previous Kobe Protro Air Force 1s.

Stay tuned for firm Nike.com and select retailer release details.

For more from the Swoosh empire, check out the Air Jordan 6 releases expected in 2026 in celebration of the sneaker's 35th anniversary.