TLDR: To celebrate Gigi Bryant's 19th birthday, Nike is releasing the Kobe 9 EM ‘Mambacita’ in a Protro version for the first time. The model will be launched on 1 May 2025 for €180. To mark Gianna ‘Gigi’ Bryant's 19th birthday, Nike is celebrating her legacy with a very special new edition: the Nike Kobe 9 EM ‘Mambacita’. For the first time, the Kobe 9 EM is being released as a protro version. The sneaker features an elegant colour gradient from black to light grey on the upper and an elaborately marbled outsole. Golden accents on the Swoosh and the Kobe logos as well as the ‘Gigi’ lettering on the heel make the shoe a personal tribute.
The updated Protro version combines modern performance tooling with the original 2014 silhouette. Fans of the Kobe line and supporters of the Mambacita Sports Foundation can look forward to a model that combines style, memory and top sporting performance. Particularly striking are details such as the golden heart with the number ‘2’ on the right heel - a direct reference to Gigi's jersey number.
With this release, Nike continues the annual tradition of ‘Mambacita’ releases, which have been released on Gigi's birthday since 2022. The shoe follows the previous ‘Mambacita’ models of the Kobe 6, Kobe 4 and Kobe 8 Protro.
When will the Nike Kobe 9 EM ‘Mambacita’ be released?
The Nike Kobe 9 EM ‘Mambacita’ will be available on 1 May 2025 at selected Nike Basketball retailers and on Nike.com. The retail price is €180 for men's sizes and €120 for elementary school sizes.
Where can I buy the Nike Kobe 9 EM ‘Mambacita’?
You can find the Kobe 9 EM ‘Mambacita’ on release at Nike SNKRS, selected Nike Basketball Stores and various premium retailers. More detailed store lists will follow shortly on platforms such as Grailify, which as always provides reliable information on all the latest sneaker releases.
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