3 days ago
Caitlin Clark Debuts Her First Nike Player Edition Sneaker: Kobe 5 Protro PE
Kobe 5
It's been rumored for some time that Caitlin Clark would eventually get her own Nike sneaker. Sneaker blogs, forum threads, and online sleuths have speculated for months analyzing her game-day pair, piecing together what they could from blurry sideline shots and limited leaks. But without any official word from Nike, the chatter slowly faded. That is, until June 29th, when Nike unveiled the Caitlin Clark Kobe 5 "Protro PE"sneaker in a new commercial.
In the commercial, Clark sits in the locker room with her head down and eyes closed, seemingly meditating before a game. When she opens her eyes, her pupils shift, morphing into the shape of snakes, a subtle yet powerful nod to the Mamba, a marker and nickname to the late Kobe Bryant, whose legacy the shoe continues to honor.
The Nike Kobe 5 'Protro PE' isn't a signature player sneaker, as many had hoped, but rather a Player Edition (PE) colorway. It comes dressed in the Indiana Fever's team color: dark navy, crimson orange, and an electric university gold outlining the Swoosh. On social media, Nike wrote: 'When @caitlinclark22 laces her new Kobe 5 Protro PE, she steps into a new dimension. Noise fades, focus hits, and all that's left is her drive to dominate. The shoe drops June 30th on SNKRS in select regions."
Caitlin Clark wearing Kobe 5
Originally released in 2009 by Lakers guard Kobe Bryant, the Kobe 5 is known for its relaxed Air Zoom unit and EKG-inspired traction pattern on the rubber outsole for on-court grip. Its' structured upper, which is a bit more minimalistic, provides a lightweight yet sturdy and supportive fit. Caitlin Clark first debuted the sneakers last year, but in March 2025, sneaker insiders officially leaked an original colorway noting that it was designed in collaboration with Clark.
And the hype and demand around them is high. One X user joked, 'Can't wait for all the bots to buy them and see them on StockX for a K.' And that might just be the case for real fans anticipating the release. According to Sneaker Sense, a well-known sneaker insider account, 'Only 13,000 pairs of the Nike Kobe 5 Protro x Caitlin Clark 'Indiana Fever' are set to release this Monday on the SNKRS app.'
Sports Illustrated's Kicks On SI notes that while this number has been widely reported, it has not been officially confirmed. 'It's also important to note,' they add, 'that the 13,000-pair estimate only accounts for Nike's SNKRS app in the U.S., and doesn't include additional stock from other retailers like Foot Locker or Dick's Sporting Goods.'
Sports Illustrated Kicks continues, "Regardless, if that estimate is even close to being accurate, it spells a challenging time for online shoppers. Given the low supply and extremely high demand, many fans will be unsuccessful in buying the basketball shoes this Monday."
Whether you're a fan of the Indiana Fever, Caitlin Clark, or Kobe himself, it's easy to see why this release would be kept limited. And with all the hype, it only fuels anticipation for what a true player-exclusive sneaker from Caitlin Clark could look like in the future. Online shoppers can buy the sneakers for $190 in adult sizes on the Nike SNKRS app and at select retailers.
