Nike Kobe 11 'Draft Day' Release Date, Pics, Retail Price

Nike is set to release the newest version of the Kobe 11 on April 28. It's called "Draft Day," and the new look will retail for $160.

The design of the shoe hasn't changed much. The differences are the colorway and the inclusion of a significant date in Kobe Bryant's hoops history on the spine of the right shoe.

The colorway matches the traditional Charlotte Hornets colors because that's the team that drafted Bryant in 1996. Charlotte then dealt Bryant to the Los Angeles Lakers in one of the most historic draft-day deals in NBA history.

On the spine of the right shoe is "6.26.96." That's the date the Hornets drafted Bryant.

Cosmetically, the shoe is primarily white and gray. However, purple and blue lagoon offer accents throughout. That's especially the case on the swoosh, laces, tongue and inside lining. Here are a few more looks at the shoe from Sole Collector, Kicks on Fire and Sneaker News:

Andrew D. Bernstein/Getty Images

You have to wonder how the New Orleans Pelicans feel about the new Kobe 11 "Draft Day" sneakers. The new colorway matches the colors of the original Hornets franchise, which, of course, is now the Pelicans.

The Hornets name has since returned to Charlotte along with the team history, but had the Hornets not traded Bryant when they drafted him in 1996, he would have played for the Pelicans.

Perhaps the team would not have moved to New Orleans had Bryant been the cash cow he became for the Lakers. That's a wormhole all its own.

The topic here is the new sneaker. Are you copping the new colorway? Let us know in the comments.