Nike is officially bringing a new Kobe silhouette to life, and this one carries extra weight. The next line will be called the Nike Kobe NXT, expected to release Summer 2027 as an unfinished project Kobe Bryant himself helped start before his passing.
Two versions are planned at launch. The Nike Kobe NXT Prototype will retail for $410, while the Kobe NXT 1.0 will offer multiple colorways at $210 each. Both remain a year out, with official details still unconfirmed so things can still change.
Kobe Brand VP and GM Dan Sunwoo confirmed the project directly, saying, "Kobe started this project. We're committed to carrying it forward to the finish. We're working on launching the first unfinished project we started with Kobe." That makes the NXT more than just another release, putting it as the completion of something Kobe never got to see through.
The reveal came alongside a sculpture titled "Sole Obsession," showcasing outsoles from every numbered Kobe model plus a 13th, never-before-seen design believed to belong to the NXT. The pattern ditches Kobe's usual herringbone traction for a sharper, more angular look built from straight lines.
Nike Kobe NXT
This marks the first entirely new Kobe performance silhouette released since his passing. Every Kobe release since then has stayed within the Protro lineup, reworking the existing models rather than introducing something new.
The NXT name isn't unfamiliar to the brand though. Previous Kobe NXT concepts have used technology like 360-degree Flyknit and the FitFast lacing system. Also they're known for pushing traditional basketball shoe construction further than standard builds.
Nike hasn't released full images of the shoe yet, though it's possible Mamba Invitational participants could be seen in early versions as testing continues. For now, the look and outsole details are the clearest look anyone has gotten.
With Kobe Brand growing, the NXT feels like a good next step. It's a chance for Nike to complete something Kobe started, rather than simply reworking what already exists.
