Nike’s The Academy Has its Own Kobe 5 Protro PE for 2026

If you want to find the best PE sneakers, you could look on an NCAA, NBA, or WNBA basketball court, but honestly, for the real heat, your best bet is to seek elite high school hoops. From adidas’ 3SSB circuit to Nike’s legendary EYBL program, brands have always gone all out with PE perks. In the era of NIL and Instagram, though, with all eyes on youth hoopers? The shoes are only getting better.

The Nike Kobe 5 Protro The Academy PE is the latest Nike Kobe colorway created for youth hoopers, following previews of a similarly shaded Nike Kobe 3 Protro Low for the EYBL that we saw last month. On the Kobe 5 Protro, The Academy pair switches the black base on the Kobe 3 for an olive gold, but keeps the same yellow and orange gradient accents.

Starting with goldish olive on the toebox and side panels, the pale sunset gradient is added across the support panels, midsole, and sockliner. Featuring neon green at the front of the shoe, the coloring turns to peachy orange on the sockliner and heel. The upper paneling on the heel also switches at the back, turning a bit more gold from the olive up front. Finally, an icy blue outsole sits underfoot.

So far, we’ve only seen a few quick previews of Nike Kobe 5 Protro The Academy PE, with no further details available. Like the Kobe 3 Protro Low, though, expect these to be a PE colorway given to high schoolers attending The Academy this summer. For all the latest Nike Kobe PE news and drop info, download the Sole Retriever App.

Zach Harris

Zach Harris is a writer based in Philadelphia. His work has appeared in Rolling Stone, Vice, Complex, High Times, and more. He is obsessed with skateboarding and bowling. He is still looking for his first 300. For tips, reviews, and anything in size 10.5 - zach.h@soleretriever.com