Daughter of late NBA legend Kobe Bryant unveils upcoming Kobe 4 "Girl Dad"
Father's Day is just around the corner. And many male figures in the sporting world have children of their own. One such sports figure whose close relationship with his children is well documented is the late, great Los Angeles Lakers legend, Kobe Bryant. Bryant was a father to four daughters, Natalia, Gianna, Bianka, and Capri. In a tragic turn of events, the entire world was shocked when in January 2020, Kobe along with his then 13-year-old daughter Gianna (or Gigi) and seven others were killed in a helicopter crash.
It was an untimely passing, but Kobe's immense love for his family and daughters especially has stood the test of time. And for Father's Day 2024, Kobe's eldest daughter Natalia took to the social media platform Instagram to promote her late father's upcoming sneaker release that pays homage to his dad-daughter bond.
The caption reads: "GIRL DAD🤍 For our Most Valuable Girl Dad. This Father’s Day we celebrate my Dad’s love for me and my sisters with the Kobe 4 Protro ‘Girl Dad’."
The Nike Kobe 4 Protro "Girl Dad" is not only a touching iteration to the category, but a fresh colorway never seen before.
Taking a majority pine green hue for the sneaker's upper suede material, a crisp black Nike swoosh rounds out the neutral, earthy tone look. Kobe's signature logo and actual inscription are also prominently featured on the sneakers, as is a cool, icy translucent sole and metallic silver adornment along the heel.
Probably the best part of the sneakers is the stitching on the heel tab, which reads "Girl Dad" in cursive. Underneath it, a branding with the number "24", one of Kobe's signature jersey numbers in his career. Nike credited a heartwarming photo of Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gigi cheering on their favorite team at the famed Staples Center (now Crypto.com Arena) in December 2019 as the inspiration for their latest design. Here is what Nike wrote regarding the shoes on the official product launch page:
"With "Girl Dad" printed on the inner tongue and a Total Orange insole inspired by Kobe's support of women's basketball and the WNBA hoodie he was wearing, this meaningful rendition invites you to celebrate the power of girl dads everywhere.
- via Nike.com
The Bicoastal green upper is inspired by Kobe's beanie and paired with a mix of premium materials and a chrome heel clip. The Metallic Silver branding and an icy outsole add a little shine to this refined design. "
Furthermore, Nike states the revamped Kobe 4 Protro offers a more dynamic and responsive ride, courtesy of its updated design. The midsole features a springy foam that incorporates Zoom Air in the heel, providing a burst of energy to help you gain an edge in your next high-stakes competition - whether it's a friendly showdown with your daughter or an intense game of basketball.
The new Nike Kobe 4 Protro "Girl Dad" is set to drop on June 7th and you can snag it exclusively on the Nike SNKRS app or at select in-store retailers.
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