Nike Kobe 5 Protro PE ‘What the Rick’ Release Date JA7364-800

One of Jalen Brunson’s player-exclusive Nike Kobe sneakers is making its way to retail next year.

According to Sneaker Market Romania and @brandon1an, Brunson’s Nike Kobe 5 Protro “What the Rick” PE is set for a summer 2027 release. The pair was first worn by Brunson during the New York Knicks’ first-round playoff win over the Detroit Pistons in 2025, with the reigning NBA Finals MVP later sharing a detailed look at the multicolor style.

With an official color combination of Total Orange/Black/Hyper Cobalt, Brunson’s Kobe 5 Protro “What the Rick” PE gets its hues from each of the NBA teams that his father, Rick, played for during his professional career. The NBA journeyman suited up for eight teams over nine seasons in the league, each of which is represented on the upcoming release. Included in the mix are colors of the Knicks, Boston Celtics, Portland Trail Blazers, Chicago Bulls, Toronto Raptors, Los Angeles Clippers, Seattle SuperSonics and Houston Rockets.

While many of Nike’s “What the” sneakers are mismatched between the left and right shoes, Brunson’s What the Rick PE features a symmetrical look that instead uses each panel of the Kobe Bryant sneaker to tell its family-inspired story.

Nike has made the most of the energy surrounding the Knicks’ championship win, cashing in with special-edition sneaker preorders and various other New York-related activations and product. Soon, the former NYC-exclusive Air Force 1 ’01 in Knicks colors is expected to receive a wider release.

As for other Kobe releases of note, the brand is pushing the Kobe 3 Low Protro model, while the newly introduced Kobe 10 Protro will soon be released in more colorways.

The Nike Kobe 5 Protro What the Rick PE will be released during summer 2027 for a retail price of $200 with expected availability from Nike’s Snkrs app and select Nike Basketball retailers. The sneaker’s style code is JA7364-800.