Toronto Raptors All-Star DeMar DeRozan officially unveiled the Nike Kobe A.D. NXT 360 in Wednesday’s nationally televised game with the Cleveland Cavaliers. DeRozan scored 21 points, had three rebounds and five assists in the Raptors’ 132-129 loss at Quicken Loans Arena.
Of course, the result of the game carried little significance for sneakerheads who have anticipated the new Kobe signature shoe model since Nike CEO Mark Parker and Bryant alluded to it at last October’s Investor Day address.
The message was developing a product that again pushes the boundaries by among other goals, creating a lightweight shoe that doesn’t compromise stability or performance.
The Kobe A.D. NXT 360 features an upper that is constructed from the next generation of Nike Flyknit technology. The upper wraps around the foot for a second-skin fit, hence the 360 reference in the shoe’s name.
Moreover, the NXT 360 features a dual-density drop-in foam midsole that is made of Nike React technology and Lunarlon to maximize cushioning and response. Lunarlon is a staple from Bryant’s and other Nike basketball shoes, while Nike React technology was incorporated on the Hyperdunk 2017 Flyknit.
Nike has not yet announced a release date for the Kobe A.D. NXT 360. They recently unveiled and released the Nike Zoom Kobe 1 Protro, which marked the start of a retro line for Bryant.
But rather than simply re-release previous models, Bryant and Nike are upgrading the tooling and technology to make them appropriate for wear on the court today.