Nike Basketball finally unveiled the Kobe Elite 9 shoe that is expected to be one of the hottest items in the sneaker market early next year.

The ninth Nike signature shoe of Los Angeles Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant, which is a high-top sneaker that aims to protect the ankle of the owner, boasts three of the latest and innovative Nike technologies -- the Nike Flyknit, Flywire, and Lunarlon technologies as described by Nicekick.

"Kobe 9 features Flyknit that is made from single strands of yarn to move with your foot. Nike Basketball's patented Flywire locks down the midfoot, and Lunarlon provides responsive cushioning. A carbon fiber heel counter gives the shoe stability, and a pressure mapping designed rubber outsole mimics the natural contours of the foot to finish off the most innovative basketball sneaker to date."

This impressive-looking high-top signature shoe of Bryant will hit the market on February 8th next year in what is dubbed as the "Masterpiece" edition of the shoe. Retail price is set at $225 per pair.

Bryant's last five signature shoes were low-top kicks, but the style change is not surprising considering the injury that ended the season of the 15-time All-Star last season. An interesting feature of the shoe is the nine short red lines at the back, which mimics the stitches from the Achilles tendon surgery of the veteran shooting guard.

"It's a symbol of the story we're trying to tell," Bryant told ESPN when asked about the suture-like red lines at the back portion of the shoe. "It's a constant reminder of where I came from. From that night after I hurt myself and I expressed my anger in my Facebook rant to the state I'm in now. I wanted something I could draw inspiration from. Everyone doubts I can't come back and do it again and here I am."

Bryant has yet to make his 2013-14 NBA season debut, but he will likely make his highly-awaited return in the coming weeks wearing his new signature shoe.