15/06/2026
Jalen Brunson would rather get more Nike Kobe PEs than have his own signature shoe 🗽🧡💙
Jalen Brunson not wanting a signature sneaker feels rare in the modern NBA. Most stars want the name, the logo, and the full campaign, but Brunson’s choice points to something deeper. He has worn Kobes for years, and reports have tied his loyalty back to Kobe Bryant’s influence, including a moment where Bryant gifted him Kobe 9s when Brunson was still a teenager. Instead of building a shoe around himself, Brunson is helping keep one of basketball’s most important sneaker lines active in real time. That says a lot about his humility, his respect for the game, and the way he sees legacy.
His PE rotation has become part of the story. The “Statue of Liberty” Kobe 6 Protro brought New York symbolism through a Hyper Turquoise upper and Metallic Copper accents, while keeping the Kobe 6’s low-cut build, responsive foam, forefoot Air Zoom Turbo, and court-feel traction. He has also been linked to Knicks-inspired Kobe looks, a Kobe 5 Protro PE with Statue of Liberty green and orange-blue detailing, and the “Knightfall Vader” Kobe 6 PE inspired by Anakin Skywalker’s fall to the dark side. The “Statue of Liberty” colorway released December 11, 2025, for $200, making Brunson’s Kobe chapter bigger than a PE run and closer to a true legacy project.
Does this make you respect Brunson more? 👀
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