Nike is set to launch a new line of Kobe Bryant sneakers that pay tribute to his alma mater, Lower Merion High School. The Nike Kobe 5 Protro "Lower Merion Aces" will feature the school's colors and symbols. This marks the first such release in 16 years.
Nike is releasing the Nike Kobe 5 Protro "Lower Merion Aces," a sneaker inspired by Kobe Bryant's high school, Lower Merion High School in Ardmore, Pennsylvania. The shoes are scheduled to drop on March 23 and incorporate a maroon and metallic silver color scheme, reflecting the school's colors.
Details include an ace graphic on the left heel and Bryant's high school jersey number, 33, on the right heel. This release follows a similar Kobe sneaker honoring Lower Merion that Nike put out in 2010.
Bryant attended Lower Merion High School from 1992 to 1996, where he led the Aces to the 1996 state championship. During his time there, he earned accolades as Naismith High School Player of the Year, Gatorade National Basketball Player of the Year, and a McDonald's All-American. After high school, Bryant declared for the NBA Draft, where the Charlotte Hornets selected him before trading him to the Los Angeles Lakers.
Bryant's legacy has elevated the profile of his alma mater. Following his death in 2020, the Lower Merion School District stated: "Mr. Bryant’s connection to Lower Merion High School, where he played basketball prior to joining the NBA, has raised the profile of the high school and our District throughout the world. Our school community will always be grateful for his ongoing generosity to his alma mater, including his dedication of our Kobe Bryant Gymnasium and his support of our boys’ and girls’ basketball teams."
The sneaker release underscores the enduring connection between Bryant's early career and his high school roots, bringing global attention back to the institution that shaped his basketball beginnings.