Nike Kobe 9 Elite Low EM Protro "Draft Day"

TLDR: The Nike Kobe 9 Elite Low EM Protro “Draft Day” pays tribute to Kobe’s legendary 1996 NBA Draft. The eye-catching Hornets gradient in purple and turquoise combines rich basketball history with modern Protro performance.

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With the Kobe 9 Elite Low EM Protro “Draft Day”, Nike is bringing back one of the most historic Kobe releases of the year. The trainer celebrates the legendary 1996 NBA Draft, when Kobe Bryant was originally drafted by the Charlotte Hornets before being traded straight to the Lakers.

Visually, the colourway picks up on this Hornets connection. The lightweight engineered mesh upper features a striking gradient, ranging from “Blue Lagoon” at the forefoot to a bold “Fierce Purple” in the heel area. The colour scheme is instantly reminiscent of the classic Charlotte Hornets jerseys of the 90s and brings a strong retro basketball vibe to the court.

White details on the midsole, Swoosh and Kobe Sheath logo provide a clean contrast and make the striking colour gradient stand out even more. Despite the storytelling elements, however, the Kobe 9 EM Low remains clearly performance-oriented.

Thanks to the modern ProTro updates, the trainer continues to deliver a lightweight feel, strong cushioning and a responsive court feel — exactly what made the Kobe 9 one of the most popular basketball trainers back in the day.

The “Draft Day” thus not only combines basketball history with modern technology, but also pays homage to the moment that laid the foundation for Kobe’s legendary Lakers career.

If you don’t want to miss any upcoming Kobe releases, Nike basketball drops or SNKRS raffles, you should check in regularly at Grailify 😉

The Nike Kobe 9 Elite Low EM Protro “Draft Day” releases on 1 June 2026.

You can get the trainer at Nike SNKRS and selected basketball retailers. The retail price is €190. As always, you can find all purchase links and potential restocks on Grailify.