Kobe Bryant wasn't just a fan of the WNBA; he was basically its most vocal architect in the late 2010s. If you saw him courtside, he was usually rocking that iconic orange hoodie with Gigi by his side. That connection is exactly why the Kobe 6 WNBA All Star exists, but there is a lot of confusion about which shoe is actually which.
People often mix up the player exclusives (PEs) seen on court with the pairs you can actually buy. Honestly, it’s a bit of a mess if you aren't tracking release calendars daily. The "Total Orange" colorway that dropped in July 2025 is the one most fans associate with the WNBA celebration, but there's a deeper story involving a pink-and-green PE that Vanessa Bryant teased which never actually hit the shelves for the public.
The Orange Influence: Kobe 6 Protro WNBA
The most famous version of this tribute is the Nike Kobe 6 Protro "Total Orange." This isn't just a random bright color choice. It’s a direct nod to the WNBA’s primary branding and that specific orange hoodie Kobe made famous.
The shoe features:
- A monochrome "Safety Orange" and "Cosmic Clay" scaly upper.
- Metallic silver Swoosh accents that pop against the matte orange.
- An icy translucent outsole that gives it a modern, clean finish compared to the 2011 originals.
- Technical upgrades like the Zoom Turbo unit in the forefoot and a more responsive Cushlon foam.
When this pair dropped on July 18, 2025, for $190, it sold out in seconds. Why? Because it wasn't just a basketball shoe; it was a piece of the "Mambacita" legacy. Nike even released a matching Off-Court Slide and an 8P basketball to go with it. You've probably seen Caitlin Clark or Sabrina Ionescu rocking similar vibes, as they've become the new faces carrying this torch.
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That "Reverse Grinch" Pink PE Mystery
Back in mid-2024, Vanessa Bryant broke the internet for a second when she posted a photo of a Kobe 6 Protro that looked like a "Reverse Grinch" but in hot pink and lime green. People immediately started calling it the Kobe 6 WNBA All Star PE.
Here is the reality: that specific pink pair was a Player Exclusive.
It was designed specifically for the athletes participating in the 2024 WNBA All-Star Game in Phoenix. While sneakerheads were begging for a SNKRS drop, it remained "friends and family" only. It’s a common tactic Nike uses to build hype—show the world a "Grail" quality colorway on the feet of the pros, then release a slightly different version for the general public later.
Why the Kobe 6 Matters More Than Other Models
You might wonder why the WNBA tribute landed on the Kobe 6 specifically. Honestly, the 6 is widely considered the best performance silhouette in the entire Mamba line. The "island" construction of the polyurethane scales makes it incredibly durable but flexible.
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Players in the WNBA—like Jewell Loyd, who Kobe nicknamed the "Gold Mamba"—have long preferred the 6 for its low-to-the-ground court feel. When Nike decided to officially honor the league with a retail release, the Kobe 6 was the only logical choice. It’s the shoe that bridge the gap between "collector's item" and "elite performance tool."
Technical Specs for the 2025/2026 Protros
The modern Protro (Performance Retro) isn't just a 15-year-old shoe brought back to life. It’s rebuilt.
- Cushioning: The original used Phylon, which felt a bit stiff. The newer WNBA-themed releases use a softer Cushlon foam.
- Zoom Air: Instead of the small units used in 2011, we now get the "Zoom Turbo," which is larger and follows the natural curve of your foot.
- Traction: The rubber compound has been tweaked. If you're playing on a dusty local gym floor, the newer outsoles grip significantly better than the vintage pairs.
How to Actually Get Your Hands on a Pair
If you're looking for the Kobe 6 WNBA All Star "Total Orange" right now, you're likely looking at the resale market. Sites like StockX or GOAT are the standard, but prices have stayed stubbornly high, often hovering between $350 and $500 depending on the size.
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However, don't lose hope for 2026. Nike is leaning heavily into the All-Star theme this year because the game is returning to Los Angeles. We are seeing the return of the "3D Hollywood" Kobe 6 on February 13, 2026. While it’s not an "official" WNBA colorway, it carries that same All-Star DNA that Kobe established during his tenure in LA.
Actionable Tips for Sneaker Hunters
- Monitor the "Mambacita" Foundation: Often, special WNBA-related releases have proceeds going to the Mamba & Mambacita Sports Foundation. Following their socials usually gives you a 10-minute head start on news.
- Check WNBA PE News: Keep an eye on what Caitlin Clark wears during the 2026 season. Nike has been turning her PEs into public releases (like the "Light Armory Blue" pair).
- Size Conversion: Remember that many WNBA-focused Kobe releases are listed in Women's sizing first. If you're a Men's 10, you need to look for a Women's 11.5.
The legacy of the Kobe 6 in the WNBA isn't just about a colorway. It’s about the fact that the most popular shoe in women’s professional basketball carries the name of a man who actually showed up to their games. Whether you're chasing the "Total Orange" or the elusive pink PEs, you're buying into a piece of history that changed how we view women's sports sneakers.