Nike will put Jalen Brunson’s multicolor Kobe 5 Protro PE on sale in summer 2027

Nike is bringing a Jalen Brunson player-exclusive Kobe back to stores. The Kobe 5 Protro "What the Rick" PE — a multicolor player edition Brunson originally wore during the New York Knicks' 2025 first-round playoff win over Detroit — is scheduled for a wider retail rollout in summer 2027. The sneaker has a reported retail price of $200 and carries the style code JA7364-800.

The color story for this Kobe 5 Protro is built around Rick Brunson, Jalen's father and a former NBA player and current Knicks assistant coach. Nike uses panels across the shoe to represent the NBA teams Rick played for over his nine-season career. Teams cited include the New York Knicks, Boston Celtics, Portland Trail Blazers, Chicago Bulls, Toronto Raptors, Los Angeles Clippers, Seattle SuperSonics and Houston Rockets.

Unlike many "What the" release concepts that intentionally mismatch left and right shoes, this PE uses a symmetrical layout: each panel is part of a single, multicolor narrative rather than a switched-pair treatment. Photos shared by Jalen Brunson show bright, team-driven hues across the toe, midfoot and heel, with Total Orange, Black and Hyper Cobalt listed among the official colors.

How this fits Nike's Kobe strategy right now

Nike has been expanding certain Kobe lines and turning exclusive player colorways into retail releases. The brand has been pushing multiple Protro models — including renewed focus on the Kobe 3 Low Protro and new colorways of the Kobe 10 Protro. Nike also capitalized on Knicks momentum by widening the release of at least one former New York City–exclusive Air Force 1 colorway.

What collectors and buyers should know

• Expect SNKRS queues and limited retail allocations at specialty Nike Basketball dealers.

• Keep the style code JA7364-800 handy when checking retailer inventories or resale listings.

Nike will offer a retail version of Jalen Brunson's Kobe 5 Protro "What the Rick" in summer 2027. The shoe sells for $200, is styled to reference Rick Brunson's playing career across eight teams, and will be available through Nike SNKRS and select basketball retailers. For collectors, the combination of a player-linked story and a public release format makes this a notable drop among recent Kobe Protro launches.