Nike Inc. ’s website sold out of Kobe Bryant merchandise in the wake of the basketball superstar’s sudden death, the sportswear giant said, rebutting media reports it had pulled the products.

Searches for such items Tuesday on Nike ’s website return a tribute message from the sneaker and apparel giant. The company’s app delivers no search results for “Kobe.”

A Nike spokesman said on Tuesday that the merchandise had sold out and clarified the company didn’t remove Kobe Bryant products or ask retailers to send them back. Several media outlets earlier reported Nike pulled the items to thwart buyers seeking to resell them at higher prices.

Mr. Bryant, who died Sunday in a helicopter crash, was one of Nike’s biggest basketball stars after it signed him to an endorsement contract in 2003. Even after his 2016 retirement from the NBA, Nike continued to release signature Kobe sneakers.

In its message, Nike said, “He was a beloved member of the Nike family. We will miss him greatly.”