Kobe first shoe adidas

Even as a teenager, it was clear that Kobe Bryant was special. Although injuries and age finally took their toll, he put forth elite play in multiple decades and remains one of the biggest figures in modern basketball. The Kobe Bryant signature sneaker line is a force to be reckoned with, as well.

It should come as no surprise that Kobe Bryant shoes are in the same discussion as LeBron James shoes and behind only Michael Jordan shoes as far as the top options in basketball history.

High School Phenom Snags a Shoe Deal

The key difference between the shoe lines for Michael Jordan, LeBron James and Kobe Bryant is that Kobe was not always a member of team Nike. Only 17 at the time and fresh out of high school, Kobe Bryant signed an endorsement deal with Adidas. The six-year deal was reportedly for $48 million. This might explain why he did not sign with Nike to start his career as Adidas made a huge offer to Bryant even before he was drafted. A month later, Bryant was taken 13th overall by the Charlotte Hornets and then immediately traded to the Los Angeles Lakers.

Adidas Kobe

The sneaker world is mourning the loss of Kobe Bryant. On Tuesday, Nike confirmed that the brand has sold out of all Kobe-related items on Nike.com since the Los Angeles Lakers legend died in a helicopter crash on Jan. 26, along with eight others, including Bryant’s 13-year-old daughter Gianna.

Players across the NBA — from P.J. Tucker to Lonzo Ball, Montrezl Harrell, Devin Booker, Luka Doncic, Buddy Hield, Langston Galloway and Tobias Harris — have worn some of his kicks to pay homage to Bryant, who is also one of the most important figures in the history of sneakers.

Since 1973, when New York Knicks legend Walt “Clyde” Frazier became the first NBA player to get his own basketball shoe, the Puma Clyde, more than 60 players have received signature sneakers. Bryant is the first player in NBA history to have died with a signature shoe to his name.

In 1996, he began his pro career representing Adidas before leaving the brand to join Nike in 2003. Throughout his 20 seasons in the NBA, and extending into his post-playing days, Bryant, who was known for his dedicati

Kobe Bryant

American basketball player (1978–2020)

Not to be confused with American football player Coby Bryant.

Bryant with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2015

Born(1978-08-23)August 23, 1978
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
DiedJanuary 26, 2020(2020-01-26) (aged 41)
Calabasas, California, U.S.
Listed height6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)[a]
Listed weight212 lb (96 kg)
High schoolLower Merion
(Ardmore, Pennsylvania)
NBA draft1996: 1st round, 13th overall pick
Selected by the Charlotte Hornets
Playing career1996–2016
PositionShooting guard
Number8, 24
1996–2016Los Angeles Lakers