The Nike Kobe 8 Protro "What The" Returns in This Week's Best Footwear Drops

March Madness came to an end last night as the Florida Gators' men's team mounted a successful comeback against the Houston Cougars. However, there's plenty more dramatic basketball action to come this month as not only will the NBA Playoffs be starting soon, but the Western Conference currently has five teams within half a game of each other in the standings, making the stakes higher than ever this season. Before it all shakes down, Jordan Brand, Nike, New Balance, Vans, UGG, and adidas all have key sneaker drops to look out for this week.

Per usual, let's first look back at which sneaker headlines caught our eye last week, starting with an onslaught of Nike Kobe news. Jalen Brunson pulled up to a home game in a new Nike Kobe 5 Protro "The Joke’s On You" PE while Vanessa Bryant unveiled three pairs that had not been discussed previously: the Nike Kobe 4 Protro “CHBL," Nike Kobe 9 EM “Mambacita, ” and a Kobe Bryant x Nike Air Force 1 Low “Soft Yellow.” Wale returned with another Nike GT Future reveal too, presenting a "Kryptonate"-inspired take on the shoe.

As for Jordan Brand, BTS' J-Hope appeared in the upcoming Air Jordan 3 "Seoul 2.0" to watch the incredible bout between the Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors. We also caught initial looks at the Air Jordan 4 "Cave Stone," this year's Air Jordan 1 High OG "Shattered Backboard," and the all-new Union LA x fragment design x Air Jordan 1 High OG.

Elsewhere in the industry, New Balance had a big week for itself with new collaborations by atmos and BEAMS featuring the 1000 model. Its new 2000 ABZORB sneaker also surfaced in a gray colorway. As for Crocs, its newly launched EXP line had its new ballerina-inspired Terre model unveiled. Rounding out the week, 18 East and Mephisto presented their Break Spectrum collaboration.

With all of the past week's major updates from the sneaker industry recapped, let's now switch gears to previewing which drops are taking place in the next seven days. After making your way through the list, don't forget to hit up HBX to shop footwear options that are available now.

Jordan Luka 4 and Luka .77

Release Date: April 8
Release Price: $130 USD and $100 USD
Where to Buy: Nike
Why You Should Cop: April is set to be a momentous month for Luka Dončić. The 26-year-old NBA superstar will not only be making his playoff debut with the Los Angeles Lakers -- assuming they don't stumble their way down the standings and lose in the play-in tournament -- but he will be releasing not one, but two signature shoes as well. The Jordan Luka 4 continues his signature line by upgrading it with support designed to back his strength and speed. As for the Jordan Luka .77, it arrives as an outdoor-oriented model with its durable build.

Liverpool FC x Nike Air Max 95

Release Date: April 9
Release Price: $160 USD
Where to Buy: Liverpool FC
Why You Should Cop: 2025 marks 30 years of the Nike Air Max 95 and the Swoosh is celebrating this by preparing a wide variety of collaborations, new colorways, and throwback looks. One such project is a new Liverpool FC-themed take on the sneaker. The club's red accents the otherwise grayscale pair, one that makes use of the Air Max 95's layered upper by applying a gradient to it. The main callout to Liverpool comes via the Liver Bird logo placed at the tongue's interior side.

New Balance MADE in USA 990v6 “Avocado” & “Sea Salt”

Release Date: April 10
Release Price: $200 USD
Where to Buy: New Balance
Why You Should Cop: The New Balance MADE in USA team is back this week with not only a new apparel range, but two takes on the 990v6 as well. Presented first is an "Avocado" finish that begins with a dark green mesh base and sees various green hues accompany it via the intricate structure of the upper. As for the other pair, it combines "White" and "Sea Salt" to craft a summertime-ready white, off-white, and gray composition.

COMME des GARÇONS HOMME PLUS x Nike Sense 96

Release Date: April 10
Release Price: $230 USD
Where to Buy: Dover Street Market
Why You Should Cop: Nike has offered COMME des GARÇONS HOMME PLUS the opportunity to bring back many sneakers before their in-line return. With the Sense 96, the duo has taken on a new sneaker, one that combines the ISPA Sense Flyknit's sole unit with the upper of an Air Max 96. Its three colorways offer all-white, all-black, and a pink and white iteration with all three sporting CdGH+ wordmarks at the tongue, medial midsole, and sockliner.

OTW by Vans Old Skool 36 FM

Release Date: April 11
Release Price: $125 USD
Where to Buy: Vans
Why You Should Cop: The OTW by Vans line is celebrating Milan Design Week by launching its new Future Make platform. Its first product under this new category is the OTW by Vans Old Skool 36, reimagining the classic Old Skool silhouette with a contemporary flair. A lofted engineered knit upper combines with a 3D-injected TPU structural side stripe, offering a sleek shape. From there, a Sola Foam ADC insole and EVA Strobel deliver ample comfort to each step.

Reese Cooper x UGG

Release Date: April 11
Release Price: $200 USD to $250 USD
Where to Buy: Reese Cooper and UGG
Why You Should Cop: California-based duo Reese Cooper and UGG have teamed up to redesign UGG's Classic Mini and Classic Ultra Mini for all-terrain use. Both models feature a CORDURA UltraLite water-resistant fabric shell with a GORE-TEX lining, ensuring that the boots are ready for whatever weather comes. Looking closer at the Classic Mini, it has been prepared in a brown "Kalamata" alongside a plain "Black." As for the Classic Ultra Mini, which stands much taller than its ankle boot counterpart, colorways of "Mandarin Red," "Peyote," and "Black" will be available.

Air Jordan 3 "Sail/Metallic Silver"

Release Date: April 12
Release Price: $200 USD
Where to Buy: SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: Jordan Brand is back with another women's-exclusive take on the Air Jordan 3 this week, this time offering it in a new "Sail/Metallic Silver" colorway. Its off-white leather upper is joined by "Cement Grey" accents that have been covered in "Metallic Silver" instead of favoring the typical grey. This shimmering finish is complemented by the tongue embroidery and midsole, giving the shoe a new shine.

PAN Records x Nike Air 180

Release Date: April 12
Release Price: $150 USD
Where to Buy: SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: Nike has been offering record stores the chance to put their own spin on the Air 180 this year. The series began with Apron Records in March and continues now with PAN Records. The Berlin-based label has opted for an all-black rendition of the shoe that removes it typical Swooshes on each side in favor of smaller ones. It also features a new sculpted heel and Pan -- the Greek half-goat deity -- graphic at the outsole and tissue paper.

Bad Bunny x adidas Ballerina "Off White" & "Core Black"

Release Date: April 12
Release Price: $120 USD
Where to Buy: adidas
Why You Should Cop: Bad Bunny and adidas just debuted their new Ballerina silhouette -- a modern refresh of the Three Stripes' Taekwondo model -- at the end of March, debuting it in a "Bold Gold" colorway. Now, the shoe is set to arrive in the brand's classic "Off White" and "Core Black" color schemes. The former pairs white, off-white, gold, gum, and black together while the latter favors an all-black finish with white branding elements.

Nike Kobe 8 Protro “What The”

Release Date: April 13
Release Price: $180 USD
Where to Buy: SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: What happens when you combine nearly 30 different Nike Kobe 8 colorways? The Swoosh answered this question in 2013 with the "What The" colorway, which has gone down in history as one of the line's most iconic looks. 12 years later it's returning to shelves in original form, offering a vibrant mixture of blue, purple, and red across the left shoe while the right one favors orange, yellow, and green throughout.

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