Caitlin Clark entered the WNBA in 2024 as the No. 1 overall pick by the Indiana Fever, following a historic college career at Iowa where she became the NCAA’s all-time leading scorer. In her first professional season, she led all rookies in points, assists, and three-pointers made, earned WNBA Rookie of the Year honors, and became the first rookie since 2008 to be named to the All-WNBA First Team. Now in her second WNBA season, Clark continues to draw attention for both her on-court performance and her long-standing connection to the Kobe line.
Throughout both her college and WNBA seasons, Clark has consistently worn Nike Kobe sneakers – specifically the Kobe 5 and Kobe 6 Protro models. That preference now leads to her first public player-exclusive release: the Nike Kobe 5 Protro Indiana Fever. First seen during warmups ahead of the 2024 playoffs, the sneaker matches her team’s colors and will release on June 30.
Design and Color Details
The Caitlin Clark x Nike Kobe 5 Protro Indiana Fever is built with a synthetic and mesh upper in Midnight Navy, extending across the toebox, tongue, collar, and heel. The upper features debossed faux reptile texture along the eyestays and toe overlay, adding visual contrast without introducing new colors. Additional navy splatter print appears throughout the upper, giving the shoe subtle pattern depth while staying within the tonal base.
Red, amber, and orange are applied in gradient treatments across key design elements. The Nike Swoosh is outlined in a red-to-amber fade, mirrored by the same gradient on the TPU heel counter and tongue logo. Bright crimson laces intensify the contrast, standing out against the darker upper. These choices directly echo the Indiana Fever’s team palette, balancing performance design with team identity.
Materials and Performance Specs
The shoe retains the Kobe 5 Protro’s trusted construction, featuring Flywire technology built into the upper to provide locked-in support without sacrificing flexibility. A Cushlon foam midsole runs the full length of the shoe, offering responsive impact absorption. In the forefoot, a Zoom Air unit delivers quick energy return for cuts, bursts, and step-backs. Underfoot, the rubber outsole matches the Midnight Navy of the upper and features a traction pattern designed for grip on indoor courts.
Stability is reinforced by a carbon fiber shank plate embedded in the midfoot. This structural component helps with torsional control during sharp directional movements, a necessary feature for fast-paced play in the WNBA.
Clark’s History with Kobe Sneakers
Clark’s relationship with the Kobe line began during her time at Iowa, where she regularly wore the Kobe 5 and 6 Protro models during major tournament appearances. Her consistent use of the line throughout college and into her rookie WNBA season has made it a key part of her on-court identity. In 2024 alone, Clark received multiple player-exclusive editions, including a black and gold Kobe 5 Protro and two Kobe 6 Protro colorways – one of which is expected to release later this year.
Although she has not worn this pair in an official game, Clark debuted the sneaker during pregame warmups for the Indiana Fever’s playoff opener in 2024.
The “Indiana Fever” PE marks the first time one of her personal colorways will be available for public purchase. The design reflects both her team affiliation and her personal brand, rooted in consistency, high performance, and visual clarity.
Release Information
The Caitlin Clark x Nike Kobe 5 Protro Indiana Fever is set to release on June 30, 2025, through Nike’s SNKRS app and select retailers. Retail price is $190. As Clark’s first public PE release, and with ongoing demand for Kobe models, the sneaker is expected to draw strong interest from both basketball fans and collectors.
Model: Caitlin Clark x Nike Kobe 5 Protro “Indiana Fever”
Colorway: Midnight Navy/Bright Crimson
SKU: IM3207-400
Price: 190.00 USD
Release Date: June 30
Available at: Nike SNKRS and select retailers
