Introducing the Nike Kobe 11: A Monumental Swan Song
The final on-court Kobe Bryant model launched Jan. 9, 2016, amidst the anticipation of the superstar's last season in the NBA. The Kobe 11 immediately drew comparisons to the Kobe 10, but tweaks throughout the design gave the Kobe 11 plenty of distinct technical features that continued to push the Kobe performance line to new levels of greatness, led by the relentless determination of Kobe himself.
"Throughout my time with Nike, I've obsessed the details of my shoes," Bryant said during the shoe's release. "For the Kobe 11, we worked to perfect Flyknit for basketball."
Working again with Nike designer Eric Avar, Bryant went low-top on the Kobe 11 for the model's duration, punctuated by Kobe wearing the Kobe 11 running shoe during his final NBA game on April 13, 2016, in Los Angeles. Those shoes, part of the coveted Fade To Black pack, were front and centre for one of the most significant moments of Kobe's career.
Nike Kobe 11: Performance Design Comes Full Circle
Kobe Bryant's fascination with Flyknit started with the Kobe 9 Elite, carried through the Kobe 10, and surged forward in the Kobe 11 release. With a design reminiscent of its predecessor, the 11 features yarn threads containing thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) that create a stronger Flyknit, better suited to the relentless pounding on the basketball floor.
Kobe Bryant and designer Eric Avar embraced the philosophy of less is more, bringing the style full circle with the return to a low-top version reminiscent of the Kobe 4. The Kobe 11's aim was to bring together the technological advancements of the ten previous signature designs. "The Kobe 11 design represents the whole being greater than the sum of the parts," Avar said.
Continuing with the same aesthetic launched with Flyknit in the Kobe 9, the Kobe 11 also borrowed the same stitch marks from the previous two models–four marks signifying the four feet of thread used in Bryant's 2013 Achilles surgery. The launch of the black-and-red Achilles Heel featured a graphic of the Greek hero on the right heel and four stitch marks on the left heel. Along with the Kobe 11 in Flyknit, known as the Elite, Nike then released an EM version with engineered mesh replacing the upper's Flyknit.
Kobe 11's Last Court Appearance
"Mamba Out." That's how Kobe Bryant ended his NBA on-court career, scoring 60 points and landing a game-winning shot while millions of fans across the world watched the legend's final hurrah in Los Angeles. After the game, Bryant ended his speech to the capacity crowd with those two words. And he did it all in the Kobe 11.
By 2016, a host of professional athletes adopted the Kobe line as their footwear of choice, keeping the legacy of one of the game's biggest superstars on the court.
Kobe 11 Colourways: an Elite Lineup
Achilles Heel. USA. Brazil. Oreo. Fundamental. Last Emperor. The Kobe 11 Elite colourway releases came fast and furious. Even after Kobe retired, Nike kept pouring out colourway releases late in the year, such as Ghost of Christmas Past.
With the four red stitch marks on the left heel, a common thread in the Kobe 11 launch, the Flyknit upper served as the perfect canvas for bold colours and fresh mixtures. Some of the most notable Kobe 11 colourways include:
Fade To Black pack
Nike crafted an exclusive collection of 13 sneakers to honour Kobe Bryant's final season in the NBA. The pack featured all 11 running shoes in the Kobe signature line plus the Huarache 2k4 and Hyperdunk 08 to cap off the 13 shoes Kobe wore during his 13-year run with Nike while in the NBA. The pack starts light and progresses to darker shades, culminating in the final Fade To Black all-black colourway with a gold Swoosh.
Quai54 Friends & Family
An EM version of the Kobe 11, the Quai54 designs include the logo from the popular Paris streetball tournament.
Elite Youth Basketball League (EYBL)
This exclusive version made another appearance in the Kobe 11 in a Peach Jam colourway.
Collectability and Value of the Nike Kobe 11
Nike didn't focus on collaborations with the Kobe 11 line, instead offering up a wide variety of general release colourways, including a few special editions with ties to key tournaments. But the pivotal moment of Kobe's final game proved a collaboration in and of itself, allowing the Kobe 11 to anchor the Fade To Black pack, a shoe that still commands more than $AUD1,3001* on the resale market.
The other most sought-after and pricey Kobe 11 for resellers is the Quai54 Friends & Family model, with a resale of around $AUD7802*. If you don't want to dole out as much cash but still want a piece of Kobe history, many colourways can be snatched up for around $AUD3903*.
1Australian Price indication converted from US$1,000.
2Australian Price indication converted from US$600.
3Australian Price indication converted from US$300.
*All prices are based on historical eBay data. Actual selling price of items not guaranteed and may vary.
Nike Kobe 11 Afterpay
Enjoy now and pay later with Afterpay at eBay. Experience heel to forefoot comfort with the 11th Kobe signature release from Nike. Enjoy the Flyknit technology of the Nike Kobe 11 sneakers. We’ve got you covered with Afterpay, meaning you can get your Nike Kobe 11s now and pay them off with 4 interest-free payments over 8 weeks.
Authentic Nike Kobe 11 Sneakers without a doubt
No fakes. No fraud. No doubt. eBay is the OG destination for buying and selling sneakers, and we’re keeping it real with professional authentication now available for available for shoes meeting Authenticity Guarantee eligibility. A team of local independent authenticators will meticulously inspect your sneakers and attach an Authenticity Guarantee tag for genuine peace of mind. Get your Nike Kobe 11 Sneakers authenticated and securely delivered express from the authenticator at no additional cost to you. Just look out for the blue Authenticity Guarantee check!