LeBron James Shares Incredible Story Of How He Became A Proud Owner Of Rare Kobe Bryant Sneakers

Sporting the best shoe is a must, especially if you are a basketball superstar. Players choose their sneakers to fit their fashion and function criteria. Some choose pieces to make a statement. The great Kobe Bryant used his sneaker for this purpose. Years later, Lakers superstar LeBron James used the same shoes. This rare Kobe Bryant sneakers weren’t available for public use, and LeBron has the full story.

2001 was a year full of emotions and challenges. The NBA wanted to show empathy, and players were asked to do the same. They wore a patch of the American flag on their jerseys to deliver a message.

The Black Mamba and Adidas leveled up their sneaker game. Teams wore an American Flag patch on their jerseys in the 2001-02 season. What did Kobe do? He wore an American flag-themed pair of sneakers.

The Audi TT inspired the sneakers in the series Adidas’ Kobe collection. The Kobe 2 “USA FLAG” design was the most impressive piece. The pair was based on a similar Sudi inspiration. We love the American flag print. The Black Mamba had the shoes during the 2001-02 season.

LeBron James has the rare Kobe Bryant sneakers

LeBron had a chance to wear the shoes. Where did he get Kobe’s shoes? They never made the shelves, but Kobe decided to give LeBron a pair of those.

Back then, LeBron was a rising star in the basketball world. LeBron and Kobe met when players had their All-Star games in Philadelphia.

“I think my most fond moment is he gave me his shoes when I was in high school,” the Lakers superstar told ESPN. “I think I was playing in a tournament in Teaneck, New Jersey, and they were playing in the [2002] All-Star game in Philly. And I had an opportunity to go meet him, and he gave me a pair of his shoes, and I actually wore them in a game against Oak Hill, against Melo [Carmelo Anthony], actually.”

LeBron and Kobe are the only players to wear these shoes. Adidas never launched a line for commercial use. According to stories, there are only 30 pairs of Adidas Kobe 2 “USA FLAG.”