Caitlin Clark debuted her first-ever player exclusive Nike Kobe sneaker Tuesday during an Indiana Fever practice.
The Nike Kobe 5 Protro Caitlin Clark PE features the black and gold of the star WNBA rookie’s alma matter, the University of Iowa. Gold dominates the sneaker, making up most of the upper and the whole of the outsole. A gradient midsole fades from black to yellow, while the heel and collar appear in black. A metallic silver Swoosh also features black trim, while the tongue’s Kobe is rendered in black and his signature on the heel in gold.
In a TikTok posted by the Fever, Clark said she has another Kobe PE in a colorway more in line with her WNBA team.
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Clark is well known for wearing Nike Kobe sneakers in her career from college through to the WNBA. She tends to favor the Nike Kobe 5 Protro and Nike Kobe 6 Protro, and for her first WNBA game she wore the latter in its famed “Grinch” colorway. For her first WNBA All-Star appearance over the weekend, Clark was one of several players to wear a new Kobe 6 Protro “WNBA All-Star” colorway.
In a press conference Friday, Clark said of her shoe preferences: “I’m a Kobe person, everybody knows that. It’s the best shoe, it’s not even close. I probably like the Kobe 6s the best, which are the ones I have on right now. I like the 5s as well, but the 6s are kind of my thing. Obviously just to wear his shoe, and what Vanessa has done, and what their family has done, and continuing his legacy. Not only within his shoe, but that whole foundation and the Kobe brand is pretty incredible. So I feel very lucky and fortunate to not only represent Nike but also their entire family.”
After being signed to an NIL deal with Nike for her final two years playing for the Iowa Hawkeyes, Clark reportedly signed a new eight-year, $28 million contract with the Swoosh heading into her professional career. It’s widely expected that Clark will eventually be given her own signature sneaker.
There has not yet been any indication that Clark’s Kobe 5 PE will release to the public.
About the Author:
Ian Servantes is a Senior News Editor for Footwear News specializing in sneaker coverage. He’s previously reported on streetwear and sneakers at Input and Highsnobiety after beginning his career on the pop culture beat. He subscribes to the idea that “ball is life” and doesn’t fuss over his kicks getting dirty.
