Kyrie Irving has never hidden his admiration for the late Kobe Bryant. From on-court mimicry to emotional tributes, Irving’s connection to the Lakers legend has remained personal and consistent throughout his career.
Now, five years since Bryant’s passing, Irving has publicly confirmed plans to release a signature sneaker paying tribute to his basketball idol. The announcement quickly created buzz among fans and collectors who have followed Irving’s ongoing homage to the Black Mamba.
Kyrie Irving Confirms Kobe-Inspired Sneaker During Twitch Stream
Irving revealed on his official Twitch stream that he intends to release a shoe inspired by Bryant. He said, “Will I drop a Kobe-inspired shoe? Absolutely. I’m going to drop a Kobe-inspired shoe.”
The comment came as part of a casual Q&A with fans, but the message was firm, as this project represents both personal meaning and creative inevitability for the Dallas guard.
The Dallas Mavericks guard added emotional context to his announcement. “We all miss Kobe,” Irving said. “I think you’ve seen a lot of art pieces from my peers, including myself, just showing that homage toward him, paying that respect. We miss him dearly.”
Irving also acknowledged the Bryant family directly: “Shout out to Vanessa and the girls. I do my best to make sure I show them love and support.”
Irving, now signed with ANTA after parting ways with Nike in late 2022, enjoys full creative control of his shoe line. His ANTA partnership was announced in July 2023.
The upcoming Kobe-inspired release is expected to blend storytelling with performance design, though no prototype or timeline has been revealed. Irving made clear that his respect for Bryant would shape the shoe’s identity from concept to completion.
“Anytime I can create something that’s Kobe-inspired, I’m definitely going to let you guys know,” he added.
The Deep Connection Between Irving and Bryant
Irving’s relationship with Bryant dates back to his early years in the league when the two shared offseason workouts and private conversations.
Bryant once referred to Irving as the player most capable of carrying his “Mamba Mentality” forward, a compliment that clearly resonated with the point guard. Following Bryant’s death in January 2020, Irving missed a game for mourning and later etched tributes on his shoes, jerseys, and social media posts.
The tribute extends beyond personal grief. Irving has consistently incorporated Bryant’s footwork, fadeaway shots, and clutch-time mentality into his own game.
Teammates and coaches have noted Irving’s dedication to studying Bryant’s film sessions and applying those lessons during crucial moments. This upcoming sneaker represents another chapter in Irving’s ongoing effort to honor his mentor’s legacy.
Irving is coming off a strong 2023-24 season, averaging 24.7 points, 4.6 assists, and shooting 45.2% from the field while helping Dallas reach the NBA Finals. His influence remains high among younger players and overseas fans, and his collaboration with ANTA has been closely watched since 2023.
This Kobe-inspired sneaker would be Irving’s first major thematic release under the Chinese brand and could establish a new standard for player-driven tribute designs.
With the NBA season approaching and Irving already active in summer camps and appearances, attention now shifts to when and how this sneaker will surface.
If it delivers both visually and emotionally, then it could become one of the most meaningful player-driven releases in recent memory, cementing Irving’s role as Bryant’s spiritual successor on and off the court.