Nike Names Six NCAA Basketball Teams as "Mamba Programs"

Nike has selected NCAA basketball teams as "Mamba Programs" for the upcoming season.

After three years of uncertainty, the signature sneaker and apparel line of Kobe Bryant has come roaring back with exciting announcements over the past two months. Since relaunching the "Kobe Brand," Nike has released sneakers, apparel, and provided a clear vision for the future.

One of the more exciting components of the renewed "Kobe Brand" is Vanessa Bryant hand-picking NCAA basketball programs that will be honored as "Mamba Programs" for the 2023-24 college basketball season.

In August, the Kentucky Wildcats were the first school selected as a "Mamba Program." According to Vanessa Bryant's Instagram post, the UConn Huskies, Oregon Ducks, LSU Tigers, USC Trojans, and Duke Blue Devils have also been selected as the first group of schools to earn the designation.

"We are grateful for the amazing support of these prestigious universities…to further the legacies of Kobe and Gigi!” said Vanessa Bryant. “So excited to see their players wearing Kobe and Gigi’s NIKE shoes this upcoming season!!"

In addition to wearing player-exclusive sneakers and apparel, the teams could eventually have the signature Nike Kobe "Sheath" logo on their jerseys as well. This is all part of a larger vision shared between Vanessa Bryant, Nike, and the Mamba & Mambacita Sports Foundation.

The start of college basketball season is less than two months away, and fans have plenty of reasons to be excited thanks to the relaunch of the "Kobe Brand." Stay locked into FanNationKicks.com for all your sneaker news.

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