Nike Kobe 9 Low EM Protro 'Hornets': June 1, 2026 Drop
The Nike Kobe 9 Low EM Protro "Hornets" drops June 1, 2026 at $190 through Nike.com and select retailers. The IM6119-500 colorway runs gradient teal-to-purple across the engineered mesh upper, a nod to Kobe Bryant's brief moment as a Charlotte Hornets draft pick before the 1996 trade to Los Angeles. Set sizes in SNKRS the night before to give yourself the best shot at retail.
What you need to know
- Style code: IM6119-500
- Retail price: $190
- Release date: Monday, June 1, 2026
- Release window: SNKRS app launch, typical 10:00 AM ET. Confirm in the app the morning of.
- Where to buy: Nike.com, the SNKRS app, and select Nike retailers
- Official colorway: Fierce Purple / Blue Lagoon / White
Where to cop
Nike.com and the SNKRS app are the primary points of entry on June 1. Set your sizes in SNKRS the night before so you can check out within seconds when the drop goes live. Select brick-and-mortar Nike retailers will receive stock, with allocation varying by region. Refresh the SNKRS calendar within the launch minute because Kobe drops typically clear in under a minute. If you miss the SNKRS draw, the IM6119-500 pair will list on StockX and GOAT immediately after release. Once your pair arrives, log it in the SneakersBook app to keep your collection organized.
What we know about the design
The engineered mesh upper begins in bright teal at the toe and grades into purple toward the heel, mirroring the Charlotte Hornets jerseys Kobe wore for promotional photos on the night Charlotte selected him 13th overall in 1996. The Swoosh, sheath tongue logo, and midsole all sit in clean white. Hornets, Draft Day, and the broader IM6119 naming all reference that single night before Kobe boarded a flight to Los Angeles, the trade with the Lakers already in motion. The Low EM Protro silhouette keeps the original Kobe 9 Elite's collar height and the herringbone forefoot traction pattern while updating the cushioning. The official colorway listing reads Fierce Purple / Blue Lagoon / White.
Sources
- Nice Kicks: Nike Kobe 9 Low EM Protro "Hornets" IM6119-500
- SneakerNews: Nike Kobe 9 EM Protro "Hornets/Draft Day" IM6119-500
- House of Heat: Kobe Bryant's NBA Draft Day Inspires the Kobe 9 Elite Low EM Protro "Hornets"
- Sole Retriever: An In-Hand Look at the Kobe 9 Low EM Protro Hornets Gradient
Image: Nike via Sole Retriever