Spring 2026
Kobe Bryant was many things during his 41-year life, among them, top scorer in a single game in modern NBA history. Over the years, Nike Basketball has commemorated the Black Mamba's legendary 81-point performance against the Toronto Raptors. In the first-half of 2026, the Swoosh is expected to reissue the same Zoom Kobe 1 Bryant wore in honor of the game's 20th anniversary.
Reported by Sneaker Files, the news arrives after a long string of Kobe Protro rumors, the latest pertaining to a return of 2014's Kobe 8 "Year of the Horse" drop. Furthermore, the anticipated pair follows the Swoosh's current tendency to retro some of its most popular silhouettes from the last 30 years.
The "81 Points" Protro was last seen in 2019. Clad in a "White/Black/Court Purple" color scheme, the pair continued Bryant's request for Nike Basketball to update his signature sneaker line for today's game, effectively creating the idea of a "Performance Retro."
The impending reissue is expected to feature all the bells-and-whistles seen throughout the sneaker's lifespan, although it may also include call outs to the 20th anniversary occasion behind the tongue or on packaging. Furthermore, Nike Basketball could launch the Protro via a commemorative activation to further honor Bryant and his scoring legacy.
Stay tuned for firm Nike.com release details and official photos. In the meantime, enjoy detailed shots of 2019's "81 Points" Kobe 1 Protro below.
For more from the Swoosh empire, check out the remaining Jordan Releases in the year.
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