"Mamba Out": Nike to Celebrate 10th Anniversary of Kobe Bryant's Final NBA Game With Special Protro

UPDATE 02.23.2026 According to Sneaker Files, Nike Basketball will commemorate the 10th anniversary of Kobe Bryant's final NBA game with a widespread release of the "Mamba Out" Kobe 11 Elite.

On April 13, 2016, the brand launched a special edition of the signature model through the NikeiD platform (since replaced by Nike By You). The sneaker featured a black-and-gold color scheme that saw a series of numbers printed across the upper; these numerals made reference to important numbers in Bryant's professional career.

An earlier version of this story (found below), posited that the Kobe 11 Elite Protro expected to launch in April was the "Fade to Black" style. This should no longer be the case, although Nike could release both pairs of the "Always Love the Hate" Pack in limited quantities to properly celebrate the "Black Mamba."

ORIGINAL STORY: As Nike continues to honor Kobe Bryant’s legacy through carefully timed retro releases, the beloved Kobe 11 Elite "Fade to Black" is now rumored to return in 2026. Originally part of the 2016 “Fade to Black” series that counted down Kobe’s signature line in reverse leading up to his final NBA game, the Kobe 11 served as the final chapter — and now it’s expected to return for the 10th anniversary of that farewell moment.

With the SKU and style code leaked by Sneakermarketro and Brandon1an, the Protro edition is expected to retain its stealthy black Flyknit upper, metallic gold Swoosh, and the signature “4.13.16” heel stamp commemorating his final game. It’s likely that performance upgrades will accompany the rerelease, aligning with past Protro retools that emphasize modern cushioning and responsiveness.

While official images and confirmation from Nike are still pending, early reports point to a Summer 2026 release window. Stay tuned for more information and first looks at the Nike Kobe 11 Elite Protro “Fade to Black” in the coming months.

For more on the Swoosh, make sure to checkout the upcoming FC Barcelona x Nike Kobe collection.