The Nike Kobe 9 EM Low Protro “Draft Day” will release on June 1st, 2026. Inspired by Kobe Bryant’s 1996 NBA Draft experience, this pair pays tribute to the Charlotte Hornets selecting Kobe before trading him to the Los Angeles Lakers. The retail price is $190.
Quick Facts
Nike Kobe 9 EM Low Protro “Draft Day”
Color: Fierce Purple/Blue Lagoon-White
Release Date: June 1, 2026
Style Code: IM6119-500
Price: $190
Where to Buy: Nike, Foot Locker, Hibbett, DSG
More Info: Nike Release Dates
Nike Basketball is releasing more pairs in the Kobe Protro lineup, and now we have another storytelling release on the way. Launching in June is the “Draft Day” Nike Kobe 9 EM Low Protro. While we have seen multiple Team Bank colorways and simple setups release on the Kobe 9 EM, this pair takes a different approach by connecting directly to a historic moment in Kobe’s career.
Looking closer, this Nike Kobe 9 EM Low comes dressed in a Fierce Purple, Blue Lagoon, and White color combination. The engineered mesh upper features gradient Purple and Blue shades inspired by the Hornets’ uniforms from the mid-90s. White lands on the Swoosh logos, laces, tongue, heel overlay, and midsole. In addition, Flywire cables return on the panels, while Kobe branding appears on the tongue. Finishing the look is a translucent outsole with the model’s signature pressure-mapped traction setup.
More Nike Kobe 9 Releases
Bottom Line
The “Draft Day” Nike Kobe 9 EM Low Protro does a good job balancing storytelling with performance. Instead of relying on nostalgia alone, Nike is bringing back one of the more underrated Kobe models in a colorway tied directly to a major moment in Bryant’s career. With more attention returning to the Kobe 9 line, this pair should easily become one of the standout releases of Summer 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
This pair will be a general release and available at most Nike Basketball retailers.
“EM” stands for Engineered Mesh. This version of the Kobe 9 uses a lightweight mesh upper instead of Flyknit.