Nike Set to Launch Mamba Week in Honor of Kobe Bryant.

Nike will be launching “Mamba Week” on August 23rd, this would be in honor of late Los Angeles Lakers guard, Kobe Bryant, who passed away on the 26th, August 2020. 23rd, August would have been his 42nd birthday, but for the cold sting of death.

In an official press release from Nike, it was stated that “Nike will continue to release Kobe Protro shoes, allowing the millions of fans he inspired around the world to keep Bryant’s legacy going,” the company said in the release. “Nike will also continue to work with the NBA to release limited quantities of Bryant’s iconic Los Angeles Lakers jersey.”

This commitment to honor Bryant would see the donation of $1 million by Nike, to the Mamba and Mambacita Sports Foundation created to honor Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna. “The foundation, whose mission is to make a positive impact through sports, will use these funds to further Kobe's goal of keeping kids active and putting them on a path to success in life.” The company said.

Nike will also release Mamba memorabilia including signature jerseys, shoes, and other athletic gear and further its support of Bryant’s Mamba League partnership with the Los Angeles Boys & Girls Club.”

The statement also added that “The league, which strives to enroll an equal number of girls and boys and engage female coaches, is focused on giving kids a place to learn basketball fundamentals and be inspired by the game,”

The day after 23rd, which is 8/24, would be to celebrate the jersey numbers won by Kobe Bryant during his basketball career which lasted for 20 years. The idea of “Mamba Week” was as a result of Nike’s celebration of the final game of Kobe Bryant on April 13, 2016, which was tagged “Mamba Day” and was also a 60-point explosion at the Staples Center.

Orange County supervisors have voted to make a ceremonial day for the late legend on August 24. As reported by CBS sport, the County Board Chairwoman, Michelle Steel said Bryant who resided in Newport Beach was a treasured member of the community and inspired so many men and women to pursue their dreams and never give up.

During “Mamba Week”, it is expected that Nike would release several colorways of the Kobe 5 Protro, this was a sneaker won by Bryant all through the 2009-10 season, which saw him win his fifth championship. One gold-accented version will include graphics from the pairs which Bryant wore during the 2010 Finals, and a trio of collaboration colorways with L.A. based boutique Undefeated will be celebrating his upcoming Hall of Fame induction.

The “Mamba Week” will also see the celebration of “Mamba Mentality” which passes the idea of possessing a relentless work ethic that fans from all backgrounds and regions can relate with and apply to their own lives.

Bryant released a book in 2018, with the title “Mamba Mentality: How I Play”, the book revealed his inspirations that fueled his work ethic all through his NBA career.

The NBA kickoff would begin during the “Mamba Week” celebration, and several players on all the 16 playoff teams would be wearing a Kobe signature sneaker to pay tribute to him.