Nike Reminisces on the 1996 “Draft Day” With the Kobe 9 Elite Low EM Protro

Nike Basketball is looking back at a pivotal moment in NBA history: the 1996 draft. Fans remember Kobe Bryant briefly holding up a Charlotte Hornets jersey before being traded to the Los Angeles Lakers. Now, Nike is celebrating that famous trade with a new sneaker. The Nike Kobe 9 Elite Low EM Protro, in a striking Hornets-themed color scheme with a bold gradient design, will be released for the Summer 2026 season.






