With WNBA All-Star weekend just a few hours away, the anticipation of what will unfold on the hardwood is on the minds of all the hooping enthusiasts. And while they are waiting for the same, there has been a surprise reveal from none other than the star rookie and the talk of the WNBA- Caitlin Clark. The special part about this, you ask? Well, it came from someone in close association with the late great NBA player who had inspired Clark.

Caitlin Clark took to her Instagram story to unveil the Nike Kobe 6 Protro “WNBA All-Star” PE. These exclusive sneakers feature a hot pink mesh upper with hits of green, much like the “Reverse Grinches”. While the new bold design is quick to grab the eyes, it has more meaning than that. It is a tribute to Kobe Bryant and his legacy.

Moving on, Vanessa Bryant was the first one to tease these Player’s Edition sneakers some 24 hours prior to Clark’s reveal. This is very much in line with her continuous support for women’s sports. Something that her late husband Kobe Bryant was also very passionate about. The new sneakers are of recent interest in the WNBA and fans and players are now looking forward to seeing some of these exclusive shoes on the court during the All-Star Game.

So far in her rookie journey with the Indiana Fever, many have seen her wear various models from Kobe Bryant’s signature line, most memorably the Protro 5 and Protro 6 models. Clark has been a huge fan of Kobe Bryant. She often drew inspiration from the “Mamba Mentality” that Bryant displayed throughout his NBA career. Caitlin recently told of how Bryant’s work habits and commitment inspired her to see how far she could go on the court.

Though Clark has mostly donned the signature shoe line of Bryant till now, she is not far from getting her shoe line as the rookie has recently signed a new deal.

Caitlin Clark’s endorsement deal

Earlier this year, the WNBA No. 1 draft pick hit a significant milestone in her career as she signed an endorsement deal with Nike worth $28 million. The deal is reportedly for 8 years and will include a signature show line for the Indiana Fever #22 guard.

Though the exact details of the deal are not yet revealed to the public, there are strong speculations that suggest the sports apparel giant Nike could either create a women’s centric product or lean towards a more unisex design, as per a recent report from MarketWatch.

While the fans wait for the details about her signature line, their excitement for the WNBA All-Star Game is higher than it has ever been. So, will Caitlin Clark be able to put up a stellar performance for the weekend?

Stay tuned for more such updates, and to follow what Shaq’s ex-agent, Leonard Armato, has to say about the infamous Shaq-Kobe feud, Caitlin Clark’s Olympic snub, and more, watch this video.