Nike’s First Dunk Low Protro Celebrates Kobe Bryant’s High School

The path to the NBA has an extra stop today (if you’re from the US at least), with players no longer trading a high school graduation cap for an NBA uniform, but during Kobe Bryant’s come-up, this wasn’t super uncommon. Before being drafted by the Hornets and immediately getting traded to the Lakers, Kobe was playing for Lower Merion High School in Philadelphia. To commemorate his alma mater, Nike has prepped the first-ever Nike Dunk Low Protro in the school’s colors.

Nike’s update to the iconic Dunk Low is done through the lens of Kobe Bryant’s “Protro” line, which is just a shortening of the phrase “performance retro.” Now, the model features a drop-in ReactX midsole and what Nike calls “performance-inspired tongue construction” to add more comfort to the 41-year-old sneaker.

Aside from these technical upgrades, the sneaker also receives a few updated details to nod to Bryant, like his number 33 jersey from high school embroidered on the lateral heel, his signature on the heel tab, and his sheath logo on the tongue. As for its color palette and material makeup, the sneaker is doused in a red hue that matches the Lower Merion Aces’ away uniforms from Bryant’s era perfectly and comes with a mixture of satin, premium leather, chenille, and mesh.

Hidden inside the tongue is a famous quote from Kobe, “Friends hang sometimes. Banners hang forever.” Another semi-hidden detail is found on the outsole, which replaces the star traction on the toe with mini Kobe sheath logos. The pivot traction on the forefoot is also redone to resemble a coiled snake, the middle section features Kobe’s name, and the heel comes with his sheath.

Alongside this Nike Dunk Low Protro for the Lower Merion Aces, Nike has a handful of different Kobe sneakers in the school’s colors. There’s a two-pack of Air Force 1 Lows, one in an Away and another in a Home colorway, as well as the Protro of the Kobe 5 Lower Merion. Not yet seen is a white Home version of the Protro Dunk, but we’ll have to wait for images of that pair for the time being.

The Nike Kobe Dunk Low Protro Lower Merion Away will be released via a Nike SNKRS Reserve (basically a pre-order) on March 23, 2026. Pre-orders will ship by July 25, 2026. Retail is set at $135. Check below for images of the sneaker, and download the Sole Retriever mobile app for updates on the latest happenings in the sneaker and streetwear world.

Nicholas Vlahos

Sneakerhead from South Florida who turned his passion into a career. When not writing for Sole Retriever, I enjoy attending concerts, catching the latest movies, and trying new food. For tips, reviews, or any shoes in a size 13, email nick@soleretriever.com