Duke Unveils Nike Kobe 6 Protro “Kay Yow” PE

Nike has partnered with the Kay Yow Cancer Fund since 2008, donating a portion of the proceeds from the Kay Yow retail product while creating basketball PEs that have become extremely coveted. The Nike Kobe 6 has served as a vessel in that regard a number of times, most notably in 2011 with a retail release as part of Nike’s larger “Think Pink” campaign.

The PE shown here is quite significantly different from most previous “Kay Yow” sneakers. It features a bright pink side and a softer pink medial side, connected by a gradient through the center that extends to the midsole and even the Kobe wrap on the tongue. Black hits appear virtually everywhere else, including Kay Yow ribbon logos on the side of the heel.

While Duke will get the first rewards, it’s likely other Nike-sponsored basketball programs can expect them soon. Duke’s unveiling coincides with the emergence of a Kay Yow-branded Nike GT Cut 4, but it remains to be seen if that pair is also a PE or planned for public release.

Andrew Rizzo is an editor at Sneaker News, based in New York City. His main interests include Air Jordan, Nike ACG, Nike Air Max and New Balance shoes. Before joining Sneaker News, Andrew covered youth sports for various media outlets and worked at one of the world’s top performance marketing agencies. He is from Astoria, Queens and is a huge New York sports fan, especially when it comes to the Knicks and Yankees.