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<\/p>\nThe Kobe Bryant x Nike Air Force 1 Low \u201cLower Merion Aces Away\u201d releases March 23, 2026, for $120, honoring Kobe\u2019s high school career at Lower Merion in Pennsylvania before he skipped college and went straight to the NBA in 1996. Part of a pack, the \u201cAway\u201d iteration will debut alongside the \u201cHome\u201d rendition.<\/p>\n
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Nike is making an Air Force 1 honoring Kobe\u2019s high school career. Part of a two-pair pack, we have the Kobe Bryant x Nike Air Force 1 Low \u201cLower Merion Aces Away.\u201d This pair features mostly Team Red throughout and will launch alongside the \u201cAway\u201d rendition. Following the theme of previous Kobe AF1 releases, the shoes feature textured snakeskin detailing on the upper.<\/p>\n
Kobe Bryant<\/a> played four years of high school basketball at Lower Merion High School in Ardmore, Pennsylvania, from 1992 to 1996. During his senior year in 1995-96, he averaged 30.8 points, 12 rebounds, 6.5 assists, 4 steals, and 3.8 blocks per game, leading Lower Merion to a 31-3 record and the Pennsylvania state championship, the school\u2019s first title in 53 years.<\/p>\n This Nike Air Force 1 Low<\/a> features team red as the primary color on this \u201cAway\u201d edition, covering major portions of the upper, which matches Lower Merion\u2019s away uniform colors. Constructed with a leather upper, the hue drapes the panels, toe box, and heels. If you look closely, you will notice a snakeskin design that has been used on previous Kobe Air Force 1s.<\/p>\n More Nike Air Force 1 Releases<\/p>\n To further the theme, the Kobe shield logo appears on the lateral side in a cream hue. Instead of his numbers 8 and 23 on the heels, we have the number 33. This is a straight tribute to the number Bryant wore in high school. Other details include a white midsole and a red rubber outsole.<\/p>\n Nike Air Force 1 Low Lower Merion Aces Away Release Date<\/p>\n The Kobe Bryant x Nike Air Force 1 Low \u201cLower Merion Aces Away\u201d will be released on March 23rd, 2026, at select Nike Sportswear retailers, including Nike.com<\/a>, Foot Locker<\/a>, Shoe Palace<\/a>, and Shiekh<\/a>. The retail price is $120. Continue to scroll below for more photos to give you a closer look.<\/p>\n Bottom Line<\/p>\n The Lower Merion Aces Air Force 1 works because it tells a story that many people are unaware of: Kobe\u2019s high school years, before fame, and championships. Nike could have easily done another Lakers colorway or Mamba-themed release, but by reaching back to 1996, when Kobe was just a suburban Philadelphia kid deciding to skip college, they show more creativity than I expected. Yes, the pair isn\u2019t vibrant or features multiple colors, but overall, it\u2019s a nice and simple look.<\/p>\n Frequently Asked Questions<\/p>\n Is this part of a larger \u201cKobe Air Force 1\u201d Lower Merion Aces series or a standalone tribute? <\/p>\n