Britt Schellhammer expected to leave the set with nothing more than a photo. The 14-year-old from Fishers, Indiana has already built an impressive résumé, appearing in campaigns for brands such as Thornton’s and Finish Line. But her December 2025 booking turned out to be far more memorable than any previous job. She spent two hours filming a new Gatorade commercial alongside Indiana basketball sensation Caitlin Clark, with a surprise cameo from Tyrese Haliburton of the Indiana Pacers. What began as a routine shoot quickly became a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
When filming wrapped, Britt was still trying to process the whirlwind day. Her father, Eric Schellhammer, asked Clark’s team if the WNBA star would be willing to take a quick photo. They agreed without hesitation. Britt assumed that would be the highlight of the encounter. Instead, Clark went a step further. After posing for a few pictures, she grabbed a marker, slipped off her sneakers, signed them, and handed them directly to Britt. According to her father, the look on Britt’s face said everything — complete disbelief and joy in one unforgettable moment.
The shoes weren’t just any pair of sneakers. Clark gifted Britt autographed Nike Kobe 6 Protro sneakers from the signature line of late NBA legend Kobe Bryant. The design featured a striking purple gradient upper fading from deep violet to soft lavender, complemented by a crisp white Swoosh and a checkerboard detail along the inner lining and heel. For sneaker collectors and sports memorabilia enthusiasts, a signed pair connected to both Clark and Bryant’s legacy would already be considered extraordinary.
At first, Britt didn’t realize the magnitude of what she had received. To her, they were simply beautiful shoes from an athlete she admired. It wasn’t until the Schellhammers returned home and shared photos online that messages began pouring in. Fans pointed out that the pair — nicknamed the “Vanessa Bryants” after Vanessa Bryant, who previewed the style in early 2025 — had never been released to the public. Nike had provided no details about a retail launch, making the sneakers even more elusive. Britt described the discovery as shocking, saying she had no idea the pair might never become widely available.
Clark has a history of surprising fans with exclusive footwear, including previously gifting unreleased Kobe player exclusives after a WNBA victory. But the rarity of Britt’s pair quickly became clear when Eric, who manages her social media and considers himself a serious sneaker enthusiast, began receiving private offers to purchase them. Some bids reached eye-opening figures. Online marketplaces show other signed Clark Kobe models listed between $6,000 and over $8,500, depending on condition and authentication, while a signed pair of Kobe V Protos sold for $2,299 in late 2025. Whether Britt decides to keep the sneakers as a cherished memory or explore their value, one thing is certain — what started as a simple photo opportunity turned into an unforgettable gift tied to basketball history.
