Caitlin Clark unveils the Kobe 5 protro PE, her debut Nike PE sneaker

Caitlin Clark just made history by debuting her first Nike Player Exclusive sneaker: the Kobe 5 Protro “Indiana Fever” PE, a striking tribute to her WNBA team and Kobe Bryant’s legacy. Here’s the scoop:

🏀 What makes it special
First-ever Nike PE available to the public – while PEs are usually exclusive to the player, this one dropped on Nike SNKRS (June 30, 2025) for $190, with just around 13,000 pairs made— and they sold out in minutes

Team-centric colorway – midnight navy base, bright crimson accents, and University gold swooshes and heel details—mirroring Indiana Fever’s palette

Tech upgrades – the Protro version features a responsive Air Zoom unit, slimmed-down traction, lightweight supportive upper, and EKG-inspired outsole pattern for enhanced court feel

Timeline of the debut
Date Event
July 2024 Clark first wore a yellow/black Kobe 5 PE, her earliest exclusive
2024–25 season She rocked other Kobe models, including “Rookie of the Year” and “Light Armory Blue” variants .
June 2025 Nike confirmed the “Indiana Fever” colorway for a public SNKRS drop on 30 June 2025 .

Cultural & market impact
The hype was immediate: the drop sold out nearly instantly, then hit the resale market at ~$365—nearly double retail

A new Nike ad spot celebrated the launch, emphasizing Clark’s “Mamba Mentality” and her role in carrying Kobe’s legacy forward

Industry insiders view this release as paving the way for Clark’s first signature Nike shoe, expected around 2026

Why it matters
Game-changing visibility: It’s rare for a women’s basketball player to receive this level of sneaker attention—Clark is blazing a new path here.

Marketing milestone: This drop isn’t just about shoes—it’s about fandom and influence. Nike bet big on her with an $28M endorsement and now smartly extends that with sneaker drops .

Legacy synergy: The homage to Kobe Bryant resonates deeply in sneaker culture, especially with Nike’s storied “Protro” revivals.

In short, this isn’t just a sneaker drop—it’s a cultural milestone for women’s basketball, sneaker culture, and Clark’s own legacy. Can’t wait to see her name on future signature models!

Looking for where to buy, resale stats, or design deep dives? Happy to break it all down!