5 NCAA Teams That Could Be The Next "Mamba Program"

Highlighting five Nike-sponsored college programs that make sense as "Kobe Brand" schools.

After three years of slow progress and uncertainty, the future of the signature Kobe Bryant line has never looked brighter. In recent weeks, Nike has announced its plans to relaunch the "Kobe Brand" with a plethora of sneakers scheduled to release over the next year.

This past weekend, we found out that Vanessa Bryant handpicked the Kentucky Wildcats as the first "Mamba Program." Kentucky's basketball team will receive player-exclusive sneakers, apparel, and eventually uniforms donning Bryant's signature Sheath logo.

It is hard not to get giddy with excitement when thinking about the relaunch of the Kobe Brand. That is why FanNation Kicks has already created a list of five NCAA athletic programs sponsored by Nike that make the most sense for becoming the next Kobe Brand school.

USC Trojans

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The USC Trojans make the most sense as the next athletic program to become a "Mamba Program." Sure, Natalia Bryant attends the school, and her father showed a lot of love to the Trojans after his playing career ended. But there must be a "Kobe Brand" school in Los Angeles, and the UCLA Bruins are already represented by Jordan Brand.

Additionally, USC is long overdue for a splashy new apparel contract through Nike. Trojans fans have long complained about the brand's perceived favoritism toward the Oregon Ducks. While we keep our fingers crossed for USC to become a "Mamba Program," online shoppers can hit up the USC Trojans section on Nike's website.

Duke Blue Devils

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As some of our readers pointed out, it was a surprise that the Duke Blue Devils were not the first athletic program to be named a "Mamba Program." Over the years, Bryant said he would have attended Duke had he not skipped college (for the record, he also mentioned North Carolina and UCLA, but I digress).

Not only is Duke the bluest of the blue bloods in college basketball, but they check a lot of boxes for Kobe Brand - ACC (for now), their rivals wear Jordan Brand, casual fan tune-in for their games, and Coach K had a strong connection with Bryant. In the meantime, online shoppers can peruse the Duke Blue Devils section of Nike's website for a wide selection of team gear.

Michigan State Spartans

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So far, we have covered both coasts but need a major flagship school in the Midwest. The Michigan State Spartans make perfect sense thanks to their proud athletic program and diehard fanbase. Not to mention, the Michigan Wolverines are already with Jordan Brand, and the Ohio State Buckeyes are the adopted school of LeBron James.

Over the past decade, Michigan State has routinely received player-exclusive sneakers from the Nike Kobe line, and men's basketball head coach Tom Izzo has not kept his respect for Bryant a secret. Like other schools sponsored by the Swoosh, the Michigan State Spartans section of Nike's website does not disappoint.

LSU Tigers

Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

If the LSU Tigers ever became a "Mamba Program," that would make them the second SEC school to receive the honor. While that may seem redundant, you cannot forget the strong connection between Vanessa Bryant and the LSU Tigers.

The matriarch of the Bryant family and Kobe empire has gifted sneakers to the Tigers' women's basketball team in the past. Head coach Kim Mulkey has helped build the program into a national powerhouse worthy of the honor. Also, can we dream about the Kobe logo appearing on SEC football jerseys at some point in the future? As we wait, online shoppers can check out the LSU Tigers section of Nike's website.

Villanova Wildcats

Shanna Lockwood-USA TODAY Sports

The Villanova Wildcats becoming a "Mamba Program" is a slam dunk. Scratch that. It's several pump fakes before hitting a fadeaway jump shot, followed by jogging back down the court with gritted teeth.

Villanova checks so many boxes - location (Philadelphia was Bryant's hometown), a blue blood basketball program, and a Big East school. Of course, it's hypothetical at this time, but we can dream. Fans can shop the Villanova Wildcats section of Nike's website for school-branded apparel.

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