Nike Kobe 5 Protro ‘Lower Merion’

Kobe Bryant’s high school colors came to the Kobe 5 Protro for the first time in March 2026, honoring the Lower Merion Aces team where Bryant’s professional-caliber talent first became widely known. Lower Merion-themed Kobe shoes have historically been among the most emotionally resonant in the entire Kobe line.

The black and gold Aces color scheme translated naturally to the Kobe 5 Protro’s low, streamlined profile, with the Protro updates bringing modern construction to the shoe’s essential 2009 design. For collectors and Kobe fans, this colorway carried genuine personal significance.

The Nike Kobe 5 Protro Lower Merion retailed at $200 and released March 23, 2026 through Nike SNKRS and select Jordan Brand basketball retailers.

Written by

The Sneakers Team

The Sneakers Team is the editorial desk behind becausesneakers, founded and edited by Nick Engvall. Nick has spent more than two decades in the sneaker industry. He built the original Eastbay Blog, led the first dedicated sneaker team at Complex, ran the first UGC and seeding programs at Finish Line, was employee number nine at StockX, and served as Senior Director at Stadium Goods. He hosts the Sneaker History podcast, and his first book, Small Luxuries: Sneakers, arrives in October 2026 from Motorbooks. Release details on this site are checked against the brand's own product information before publication, and anything we cannot confirm is labelled rather than stated.

More from The Sneakers Team →