The Nike Kobe 9 Elite Protro is a basketball shoe that pays homage to Kobe Bryant's legacy and features updated technology for enhanced performance. The "Protro" in its name stands for "Performance Retro," indicating that it combines the design elements of the original Kobe 9 Elite with modern innovations. The Kobe 9 Elite Protro debuted in 2018 and introduced several upgrades from the original Kobe 9 Elite, which was released in 2014. Some of these enhancements include improvements to the Flyknit upper for better support and flexibility, as well as modifications to the cushioning system for enhanced responsiveness and impact protection.