Caitlin Clark can shoot it “From Anywhere.” That’s what Nike had expressed in its anthem for the WNBA star on Christmas Day. The apparel giant finally pulled out all the stops to promote its signature athlete. Ever since Clark inked her $28 million, 8-year deal, many complained that she was under-promoted. But it now seems they’re hitting the gas pedal amid a December landmark, as we approach the much-awaited release of her signature kicks. 

Kixstats recently released a breakdown of the minutes each shoe was worn in December in the NBA. The graphic showcased that the Nike Kobe 6 Caitlin Clark – Light Armory Blue featured on the court for a whopping 2,433 minutes. The second-most-worn was the WNBA colorway of the Kobe 6, with 1,652 minutes. 

These sneakers were worn more than the Adidas Harden Vol. 10 ‘Imma Be a Star’ (1,447 minutes) and the Kobe 6 Sail All-Star (1,438 minutes). Caitlin Clark’s ‘Indiana Fever’ Kobe 5 Protro ranked 5th, which was worn for 1,120 minutes.

It’s a clear sign that Clark’s PEs are good, since the best players in the world have been wearing them for a significant amount of time. 

Jalen Brunson wore the Kobe 6 Protro Caitlin Clark in his 31-point performance against the Philadelphia Sixers. Brandon Miller of the Hornets wore the Kobe 5 Protro in his 31-point explosion against the Milwaukee Bucks.

Nike may be pushing Clark’s PEs on the court, making them more accessible ahead of her signature shoe launch. That is a strategy the brand has used before. And if the Player Edition is being received so well, the signature shoe would be even better. Nike needs it to be.

“The technology that we’re gonna put into it isn’t anything that they’ve ever put into a basketball shoe before, so I’m really excited about that,” Clark revealed on the New Heights Podcast.

Sneaker reporter Nick DePaula predicts it will be a “$100 million business.”

It could even surpass that mark, given the current momentum. 

Even with her own PEs, Caitlin Clark kept going back to the Kobes

Caitlin Clark prefers the Kobe 5 and 6 Protro, but more so the latter.

In 54.4% of games (31), she has worn Nike Kobe 6 shoes. And 45.6% (26 games) have been in the Nike Kobe 5. The go-to has largely been the base versions rather than her PEs. She also donned the Sail All-Star Edition and the Kobe 5 Protro Year of the Mamba.

Surprisingly, Clark wore the Indiana Fever colorway only twice. The PE was released in June, but Clark continued to prefer the normal Kobe 5 and Kobe 6 editions, according to Kixstats. Bear in mind that the Caitlin Clark PE was released on November 12, when she was out injured. 

“I like a certain two Kobe models,” Clark recently said. “I knew whatever I was going to put in my own shoe would need to be the equivalent of that technology, or even better. And it’s going to be even better. I need that technology everywhere … being comfortable and exactly kind of what I need.” 

Maybe Clark had planned to wear her PE’s more later in the season. Unfortunately, she never got the opportunity as she sat out with multiple soft tissue injuries.

But that now sets the stage for her signature shoe drop in 2026, aligning with her comeback year. It gives Nike a ready-made storyline to promote her shoes.