Spalding unveils special Kobe basketball

Kobe Bryant is being honored with a limited-edition basketball from Spalding.

The Spalding 94 Series Kobe Bryant 24K Basketball features a Mamba snakeskin-embossed composite cover and comes embellished with Bryant's signature. It follows previous 94 Series limited-edition basketballs created in collaboration with Just Don and BAPE.

The basketball will be released for $125 on April 12 ahead of the three-year anniversary of Bryant's final NBA game. It will be available to Spalding MVP members at 8:24 a.m. PST and then to the public at 9 a.m. PST through the Spalding and Dicks Sporting Goods websites.

"The Mamba Mentality is what defined me throughout my career," Bryant said in a statement. "Spalding understands that product quality is a big part of that mentality. I couldn't be prouder to have partnered with Spalding, the legend and originator of it all, to create the 24K 94 Series Basketball and to bring the Mamba Mentality to life through their high quality products."

(Photos courtesy: Spalding)