The University of Oregon‘s men’s and women’s basketball team have been given four player-exclusive colorways for the Nike Kobe 8 Protro.
Although a number of college basketball teams have received exclusive colorways for Kobe sneakers, including Duke and Kentucky, the Oregon Ducks enjoy a special level of privilege because of the school’s association historical association with Nike. Several Ducks colorways have also been made for the LeBron 21, and Kevin Durant wore an Oregon PE for his KD 15 in December.
The four Kobe 8 Protro variants mix and match Oregon’s colors, with treatments in green and yellow; yellow and green; black, green, and yellow; and white, green, and yellow. The first three feature the school’s “O” logo on the tongue, while the third bears a cartoonish Ducks mascot.
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The Nike Kobe 8 Protro is an updated version of the sneaker that originally released in 2012, the most prominent change coming from React foam replacing the Lunarlon midsole. It’s one of the more popular models from the Nike Kobe line, and an all-white “Halo” colorway for the sneaker released last August to commence the resumption of the partnership with Kobe Bryant’s estate.
As is almost always the case when it comes to Oregon Ducks sneakers, the Kobe 8 Protro colorways are unlikely to go on sale for the public.
Prior to founding the company, Nike co-founder Phil Knight ran for the Oregon track team coached by fellow co-founder Bill Bowerman. The current “O” logo was designed by Nike in 1998 for the athletic programs before being adopted by the entire university four years later. Oregon’s football team is particularly well known for its favor with Nike, as it wears a new uniform designed by the Swoosh in every single game.
In 2021, Knight made his second donation of $500 million to the school’s Phil and Penny Knight Campus for Accelerating Scientific Impact. Nike also put $13.5 toward the renovation of Oregon’s track and field stadium in 2016.
About the Author:
Ian Servantes is a Senior Trending 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.
