The Nike Kobe 8 Protro “Venice Beach”

Venice Beach

The Nike Kobe 8 Protro “Venice Beach” originally launched in 2013. It was dedicated to the sandy Venice Beach. Venice Beach is just miles away from where the Los Angeles Lakers play basketball. The multicolored silhouette, dedicated to the Southern California landmark, uses the colors of teal, red, yellow, and silver throughout the mesh upper. It is one of the most colorful, and memorable, sneakers to come from the Kobe and Nike partnership.

The 8

The Kobe 8 debuted in 2012. It was designed by Eric Avar. Avar and Kobe had a long and successful relationship at Nike by 2012. Their goals, with each new shoe in the series, was to make a thinner and more breathable basketball silhouette than the one prior. The 8 also continued the trend of Nike and Kobe being inspired by soccer players and their footwear. Soccer shoes are light and low cut. Kobe and Avar thought there were advantages to bringing that design to a basketball shoe. Kobe had one of the darker moments of his career when he tore his Achilles late in the season, while wearing the 8. In 2023, Nike will bring back the Kobe 8 as part of its new partnership with the Kobe Bryant Estate.

Kobe Bean Bryant

Kobe Bean Bryant was born on August 23, 1978. He is from Philadelphia. Kobe is the son of former NBA player, Joe “Jellybean” Bryant. Kobe spent much of his youth in Italy. His father, after ending his career in the NBA, played in the Italian League starting in 1984. Kobe Bryant grew up around the game in Italy. The game was a passion for him at an early age. He embraced the Italian culture, learning the language and accepting its way of life.

Coming to America

Kobe’s family would return to the United States in 1991. Kobe would play basketball for Lower Merion High School. He was such an incredible talent, that early in high school he was planning to go straight to the pros. He was playing in scrimmage games against the Philadelphia 76ers as a teenager.

Men's SKU: FQ3548-001

Grade school SKU: HF7319-001

Preschool SKU: HF7320-001

- Adam C. Better