Caitlin Clark explains why she wears Kobe Bryant’s signature shoes: “It’s the best shoe and it’s not even close” originally appeared on Basketball Network.
Indiana Fever superstar guard Caitlin Clark has been wearing Kobe Brant’s Nike shoes since she was in college. Currently in her second WNBA season and one of the most popular players in the women’s game, Clark is one of Nike’s top women’s basketball shoe endorsers. But instead of having her own shoe, she has been wearing various player exclusives of Bryant’s shoe.
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During a 2024 interview, Clark explained to reporters her affinity with the late Los Angeles Lakers legend’s sneaker.
“I’m a Kobe person, everybody knows that,” Clark said. “It’s the best shoe, it’s not even close. I probably like the Kobe 6s the best, which are the ones I have on right now. I like the 5s as well, but the 6s are kind of my thing.”
Caitlin has been with Nike since college
Clark is a longtime Nike athlete. She began endorsing the Swoosh brand while she was still playing in college. In fact, she broke the NCAA all-time scoring record wearing the Nike Kobe 5 Protro “Bruce Lee,” which is one of her favorite colorways. After she was drafted No.1 overall in the 2024 WNBA Draft by the Indiana Fever, Clark received offers from the other top shoe brands.
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Adidas reportedly offered her a four-year $6 million shoe deal with the provision for a signature shoe. Under Armour upped the ante with a $16 million deal over the same term and a promise of a signature sneaker. But Nike topped them with a $28 million extension contract.
“Nike’s been a tremendous partner and was a partner of mine through college,” she said. “And deciding what I wanted to do professionally — that’s just the brand that I always wore as a kid. So being able to be with them is a dream and something I don’t take lightly.
“And I’m not giving any teasers (for a signature shoe), though. Like, I don’t do that. So, wait and see,” she explained.
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The unofficial face of the Kobe sneaker line in the WNBA
While she does not have a signature shoe yet, Caitlin’s Kobe PEs have been on fire. Last June, Nike released a Kobe 6 Protro PE called “Bella”, in honor of Clark’s golden retriever dog. Later that month, a Kobe 5 Protro “Indiana Fever” was also released and sold out in minutes. Last week, she wore a Kobe 6 Protro “Cookie Monster” PE, and for the 2025 WNBA All-Star Game, she wore a new and fiery Kobe 5 Protro:
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“Just to wear his shoe, and obviously what Vanessa has done and their family has done. And continuing his legacy, not only obviously within his shoe, but just that whole foundation and just the Kobe brand is pretty incredible. So, I feel very lucky and fortunate to not only represent Nike, but also their entire family,” she said about wearing Kobe’s shoes.
But Caitlin’s days with the Kobe shoes are numbered. Last June, Kicks Finder reported that Nike expects to unveil Clark’s shoe logo during the coming Holidays. What follows the logo are the shoes and even the apparel. Some are saying that her shoe will be out next year. But as she said, let’s all just wait and see.
This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jul 20, 2025, where it first appeared.