story

"My name is Vanessa Bryant, and this is Behind the Design. I'm here to talk about the Kobe 4 Protro Mambacita shoe."

"My name is Bronson Yim. I'm a Product Line Manager for Nike Global Basketball Footwear, and I work on Kobe Bryant. It was important for all of us to celebrate Gigi's legacy within these Kobe designs."

"It's probably one of the highest honors I've ever had, to work on the Kobe Bryant business. The Kobe 4 was the model that was chosen by Vanessa and the team to really use as a silhouette to tell the story and to portray Gigi's way."

"Working with Vanessa, it was finding the inspiration behind Gigi and telling the next story of Gigi and how we can represent her and champion her. Every detail on this color way is intentional."

"Gigi's jersey number in gold nods to her legacy beautifully. The white and black colors reflect her Mamba uniform colors..."

"...and the gingham print around the back of the shoe symbolized the gingham flannels Gigi loved to wear around her waist. We included Gigi's name on the heel and the shoe lace tips."

"The red swoosh on the outsole was inspired by the red ribbon that Gigi wore in her hair for school pictures. Working with Vanessa, that was an icon that she called out and that we could story tell around, so, another nod to Gigi."

"When you lace these on, the gold Mambacita heart on the sock liner is a beautiful reminder to play the game with fierceness, curiosity, and competitiveness, just like Gigi."

"I'm proud of how this Kobe 4 carries on Gigi's legacy. It started with the Kobe VI in 2022..."

"...and we will continue to make the black and white Kobe shoes as Gianna's exclusive color way to honor her. I'm excited to see other young girls be inspired by the heart and drive that Gigi expressed."

"I love that people value Gianna's shoes as collector pieces. It's important to mention that she would've loved to have seen people wear her shoes on and off the court."

"I think this is one of the most important shoes in the Kobe Bryant line now and the Protro line because we're championing women's basketball, we're championing his daughter, and we're giving equity and power to the women's game of basketball."

"This colorway embodies the bright future of basketball, with Gigi at the forefront. We hope the shoe inspires everyone to play Gigi's way, never taking any opportunity given to us for granted."

Behind the Design: Kobe 4 Protro 'Mambacita'