Nike Kobe 9 EM Protro “Mambacita” Honors Gigi Bryant

Apr 25, 2025

Original Story (04/02/25): Nike Basketball and Kobe Bryant’s estate are adding another installment to their “Mambacita” series honoring the late Gianna “Gigi” Bryant.

Arriving on Gigi’s 19th birthday, the “Mambacita” Kobe 9 EM Protro is dressed in a black, white, and gold color scheme, inspired by her Team Mamba girls youth basketball uniform. The EM (engineered mesh) upper features a gradient design that transitions from white at the toe to black at the heel, paired with a black-and-white marbled sole. Metallic gold accents round out the design, appearing on the Swooshes, Kobe Sheath logos on tongues, “GiGi” branding on the left heel, and her jersey number 2 on the right heel.

This release marks the fourth annual entry in the Nike Kobe “Mambacita” series, which kicked off in 2022 with the “Mambacita Sweet 16” Kobe 6 Protro. It was followed by the “Mambacita” Kobe 4 Protro in 2023 and the “Mambacita” Kobe 8 Protro in 2024.

The Nike Kobe 9 EM Protro “Mambacita” drops May 1st on SNKRS and at select retailers in men’s and grade school sizing. Grab a first look below and stay tuned to Modern Notoriety for updates.

Update (04/25/25): The “Mambacita” Kobe 9 EM Protro drops May 1st on SNKRS alongside a restock of the 2024 Gigi “Mambacita” jerseys created in collaboration with the Mamba & Mambacita Sports Foundation. Profits from the shoes and jerseys will benefit the nonprofit in their goal of creating positive impact for underserved athletes and boys and girls in sports.

Nike Kobe 9 EM Protro “Mambacita”
Color: Black/Metallic Gold-Black
Style Code: FZ7333-002
Release Date: May 1, 2025
Price: $180 USD
Resell: StockX