The Nike Kobe 9 Elite Protro 'What The' is officially back

Jael Rucker

The Nike Kobe 9 Elite Protro 'What The' is officially back image

Attention hoops fans and sneakerheads, the Nike Kobe 9 Elite Protro 'What The' is officially back, and with a confirmed release date.

Set to drop on May 21 via Nike, the silhouette is a re-release to commemorate the tenth anniversary of the original release in 2015, and features an electric mix of green and red colors. The shoe is accentuated by its multicolor laces, and equipped with the Nike signature logo outlined in neon green shade. The comfort is present within this shoe as well, with a breathable Flyknit upper that offers a secure fit suitable for both performance and casual wear. 

Priced at $240, the Nike Kobe 9 Elite Protro 'What The' pays tribute to the themes, color schematics and rich history with the Nike Kobe 9. The announcement of the releases follows another Kobe shoe loaded with history that's set to drop in 2026—the Nike Kobe "81," which is strategically lined up to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Kobe's legendary game.

MORE: A'ja Wilson's first signature sneaker sold out in under 5 minutes

According to Sneaker Files and @zSneakerheadz, who originally leaked the news on Thursday, the shoe is confirmed for a Spring 2026 release date, and will mirror the design of the original in terms of its design and overall features.

MORE SNEAKER NEWS:

Jael Rucker

Jael Rucker has worked as the Associate Commerce Editor at PureWow, focusing on analytics and trends to pitch stories and optimize articles that build and engage their audience. Her work has also been seen in Footwear News and WWD. Prior to 2024, she was the style and pop culture editor at ONE37pm for over three years, contributing numerous product reviews, brand profiles and fashion trend reports, which included interviewing Steph Curry, Snoop Dogg and more.