Lead image via Rich Fit Media
The New York Knicks guard also weighs in on what he wants Nike to do with the Nike Kobe relaunch.
The 2023-2024 NBA season is here and New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson is ready to continue what he started—wearing Kobes on a nightly basis at Madison Square Garden.
Whether Protros or old pairs from his collection, Brunson embraces the Mamba Mentality in the Mecca. However, Brunson’s relationship with the late Kobe Bryant makes each pair even more significant.
When he’s not suited up in Kobe’s, Brunson picks up a controller in search of wins and ranking up on Call of Duty—sometimes with his former Villanova teammates and current New York Knicks too.
Here, the New York Knick breaks down why it’s even hard for NBA players to get Kobes, who’s on his all NBA Call of Duty Team and more.
Nice Kicks: How did your Kobe fandom start?
Jalen Brunson: [He was] someone my parents were very close with. Both of my parents went to Temple University. My mom played volleyball with Kobe’s sister, Sharia Washington. She was my mother’s roommate. She would bring Kobe around my dad and my mom on campus in Philadelphia.
They had a unique relationship. I remember one time Kobe gave my mom one of the biggest hugs, and I was so confused.
NK: What was your earliest Kobe memory?
JB: I remember I was in eighth grade and the Nike Kobe 5 just came out. My dad got them for me and I’m wearing in the game because they match my school clothes and everything. I wasn’t into low-tops but my dad was like, “Nah that’s the new thing.” I fell in love with it, and I never looked back.
NK: How hard was Kobe’s passing for you?
JB: It was a difficult moment to realize. Everything he did was so iconic like what he did for the game. I didn’t even think about the the shoes [at first].
When all that stuff went down, my mind wasn’t even focused on his shoes. I was focused on his impact, the things that he did for myself, my family and the world. He’s an iconic person and to have a unique relationship with him and his family is really special.
NK: Kobes have been your go-to and a lot of the guys in the league are playing in them too. How hard is it for an NBA player to get ahold of Kobes?
JB: It’s still tough. Kobes have become how Jordans used to be. They only make a limited amount, so you have to be the first to get them, but luckily I saved a lot of the shoes from years ago that I hadn’t touched. Those shoes are sacred to me.
NK: We’ve seen you in some Player Exclusives too. Now that the Nike Kobe line is coming back, what’s the process like? Do you reach out to Nike directly or the team equipment manager?
JB: The newer ones that are coming out under the new Nike deal that they signed will definitely make it little more easier for me to get now because I’m a Nike athlete. It’s much easier now than it was over the past couple of years.
NK: With the new deal, is there any old Nike Kobe colorway you would like to see the brand bring back in Protro form?
JB: Not necessarily. One thing I really wish that they would do again is put Kobes back on Nike By You and just create whatever color you want instead of having a certain color come out. I love my shoes with a blue check or orange check or something like that.
NK: Is there any specific model you’d like to see on Nike By You?
JB: The Nike Kobe 4, 5 and 6 are my favorites.
NK: Let’s talk Call of Duty. It’s the 20th anniversary of franchise and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III releases on November 10. Have you played the Beta? How excited should fans be?
JB: It’s awesome. I played the Beta, and I was excited. Those maps bring a ton of memories. It’s a fun game and there’s a lot of hype on it for good reason.
NK: Besides yourself, who are you picking in a NBA x Call Of Duty team?
JB: I’ll say Josh Hart—he’s my guy. Mikal Bridges—[he’s] my guy too. I used to play with Donte [DiVincenzo] but we haven’t played a long time. Now we’re back on the team, so we might have to run that back.
NK: What’s your favorite Call of Duty of all-time? Favorite map?
JB: Modern Warfare II is the one that brought me into it all. I remember him going to my friend’s house and playing the World of War. Then my parents finally let me get Modern Warfare II and it opened my eyes.
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NK: Looking back at the last 20 years, how special is Call of Duty for you?
JB: The game has helped bring people together. Obviously, it’s a game about guns but for me growing up, I moved a lot as a kid, about seven or eight times. It was a way for me to connect with friends from all over the country.
It’s another way for me to reconnect with them and talk with them while we’re playing the game that we grew up on.
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