The Kobe Bryant x Nike Dunk Low Protro "Draft Day" Releases June 2026

The night of June 26, 1996 is one of the most pivotal moments in basketball history, the night Kobe Bryant was selected by the Charlotte Hornets and immediately traded to the Los Angeles Lakers. Nike continues to build on that story with the Dunk Low Protro "Draft Day," the latest silhouette to receive the Protro treatment after earlier lifestyle icons like the Air Force 1 were given the same upgrade. The concept blends classic design with modern technology, a combination that fits naturally with the ethos Kobe embodied throughout his career.

The "Draft Day" build centers on the transition from Charlotte to Los Angeles, and the design details make that narrative explicit. The upper starts in teal before shifting to yellow through wear-away detailing on the Swoosh and heel, a direct visual reference to the rapid change that defined his draft night. Beneath the surface, a drop-in React foam setup improves cushioning over the original construction, while a redesigned outsole traction pattern incorporates Kobe's sheath logo alongside a snakeskin-inspired texture. Additional padding on the tongue and lining rounds out the functional upgrades, and refreshed materials give the overall build a more refined feel than earlier leaked versions suggested.