Nike continues to revisit the story of Kobe Bryant and the unforgettable moment surrounding the 1996 NBA Draft. During that draft, Bryant was selected by the Charlotte Hornets before his rights were quickly traded to the Los Angeles Lakers—a move that helped shape one of basketball’s most legendary careers. That historic moment now inspires another special release, the Nike Kobe 9 Elite Low EM Protro “Draft Day”, expected to arrive in Summer 2026.
One of the models tied to this theme is the Nike Kobe 9 EM Low. The “Engineered Mesh” version is built with lightweight materials and a performance-driven design, often appearing in simple team-focused colorways meant for on-court play. However, the upcoming “Draft Day” edition takes a different direction by leaning into storytelling while still maintaining its basketball purpose.
The Nike Kobe 9 EM Low “Draft Day” features a gradient upper inspired by the teal and purple tones associated with the Charlotte franchise. White accents on the midsole and branding create a clean contrast and help balance the look. The color scheme serves as a visual nod to Bryant’s draft night in 1996, when his brief connection to Charlotte became part of NBA history before the trade that sent him to Los Angeles.
Although Bryant never played a game for Charlotte, that draft-night trade ultimately led to a Hall-of-Fame career and five championships in Los Angeles. By referencing that turning point, the sneaker connects performance basketball design with a meaningful chapter in league history.
Nike Kobe 9 Elite Low EM Protro “Hornets” Release Date
The Nike Kobe 9 Elite Low EM Protro “Draft Day” is scheduled to release on June 1, 2026 at select Nike Basketball retailerers and Nike.com. The retail price tag is set at $190 USD.
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Nike Kobe 9 Elite Low EM Protro “Draft Day”
Color: Fierce Purple/Blue Lagoon-White
Style Code: IM6119-500
Release Date: June 1, 2026
Price: $190
