Nike Unveils an Ambitious 14-Pair “Blind-Box” Kobe 4 Protro “Draft Day” Pack

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Summary

  • On June 26, 2026, Nike will release a special collection of 14 pairs of Kobe 4 Protros, known as the “Draft Day” Pack. This release celebrates the 30th anniversary of the historic 1996 NBA Draft, the same draft class that brought Kobe Bryant into the league.

  • This collection includes 13 different color schemes, each inspired by the teams that drafted players before Kobe Bryant, who was picked 13th overall. There’s also a 14th colorway representing his Los Angeles Lakers team.

  • These sneakers are being released in a unique way: they’ll come in completely sealed, opaque boxes. That means you won’t know which team’s colors you’ve gotten until you open it – it’s a surprise!

Everyone knows the NBA Draft can be full of surprises, and looking back, 12 teams really missed out in 1996. To honor the 30th anniversary of Kobe Bryant being drafted, Nike is doing something special. They’ve created the Nike Kobe 4 Protro “Draft Day” Pack – a huge collection of 14 different shoe designs imagining what Kobe’s shoes would look like if he’d played for the teams that didn’t pick him. To build even more excitement, Nike is releasing the entire pack as a surprise – customers won’t know which pair they’re getting until they open the box, making it like a sneaker raffle!

Bryant was drafted 13th overall by the Charlotte Hornets straight out of high school, but was quickly traded to the Los Angeles Lakers. The special “Draft Day” collection of shoes celebrates his path to the Lakers by creating a unique color scheme for each of the 13 teams that picked before him – including the 76ers, Raptors, Grizzlies, Bucks, Timberwolves, Celtics, Clippers, Nets, Mavericks, Pacers, Warriors, Cavaliers, and Hornets.

The 13 new sneakers look clean and simple at first, with a white design and understated Nike Swoosh. They even have insoles numbered to match each team’s draft position. But here’s the surprise: the white exterior is actually a special layer that wears away with use. As players wear them on the court – or if collectors intentionally rub them down – the vibrant colors of each NBA team are revealed underneath.

Completing the set is a special 14th pair of shoes, shrouded in mystery. Unlike the other shoes which are mostly white, this pair is said to feature a striking yellow and purple color scheme, symbolizing Kobe Bryant’s legacy with the Lakers. All 14 pairs come in the same unmarked boxes, so fans won’t discover whether they’ve received the 76ers version, the classic Hornets design, or the rare Lakers pair until they open the box.

Nike is honoring Kobe Bryant’s incredible career by combining high-performance shoe technology with compelling storytelling. The upcoming “Draft Day” Pack, releasing on June 26th, is generating a lot of excitement among sneaker fans and basketball enthusiasts, and is expected to be the biggest shoe release of the summer. It’s a special collection where you don’t know which pair you’re getting until you open the box!

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2026-05-11 11:26