April 13th is Mamba Day, the date of Kobe Bryant’s last game in the NBA. Nike is celebrating this year with a special release, a two-pair pack featuring the iconic “Fade to Black” Kobe 11, along with a new pair in the Mamba patterned look.
Kobe Bryant’s legacy in the game of basketball and the world of sneakers cannot be understated. The man changed the way athletes approach their sport, inspired millions, and has one of the best line of signature shoes ever designed. In 2018, he altered the way Nike approaches retro performance shoes with the Protro line, by insisting that any re-release of his iconic sneaker still be wearable on an NBA court in the modern day. Nike rebuilt his sneakers from the ground up, starting with the Kobe 1, to include current performance tech for a new generation of players.
In April, we will celebrate Mamba Day, the date of Kobe’s final game in the NBA. The occasion was celebrated around the world in 2016, and Nike released a ton of special sneakers to commemorate the date through their “Fade to Black” pack. This year, the final piece of that collection, the Kobe 11 Low, will get a release for Mamba Day 2026, joined by a second pair also sporting a black and gold color scheme. The second style incorporates the pattern of numbers we’ve seen on plenty of recent Kobe styles, which celebrates his many accomplishments and milestones across the entire shoe’s upper, including his draft day, point records, and final game.
NIKE KOBE 11 ELITE PROTRO “MAMBA DAY” PACK RELEASE INFORMATION
Nike’s next release from the Kobe line is scheduled to release on April 13th, 2026, otherwise known as Mamba Day. The 13th marks Kobe’s final game in the NBA, commemorating the occasion with the OG “Fade to Black” pair and the “Mamba Out” patterned look, both in black & gold. Pairs will be available through Nike and select retailers, priced at $200 and $220, respectively.
Nike Kobe 11 Elite Protro “Fade To Black”
Color: Black/Metallic Gold
Style Code: IM4260-001
Release Date: April 13th, 2026
Price: $200
Nike Kobe 11 EM Protro “Mamba Out”
Color: Black/Metallic Gold
Style Code: IU4902-900
Release Date: April 13th, 2026
Price: $220
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