.jpg)
1 hour ago
2
JuJu Watkins is still making waves despite failing to see the floor in USC colors for a year.
Watkins, the consensus National Player of the Year in 2025, has yet to take the floor during the 2025-26 season, after suffering a torn ACL in last year's NCAA tournament. She's slated to return to action during the 2026-27 season.
When she does take the floor, Watkins will do so in some enchanting new kicks. Watkins will become the first athlete to release a signature pair of shoes under Nike's LeBron James NXXT line when her first shoes -- JuJu "Silver Lining" -- is made available for public consumption in the summer.
Watkins is used to being a trendsetter. On the floor, she remains one of women's college basketball's grandest spectacles, a dizzying mix of speed, size and skill whose performances have already drawn soliloquies.
She's hoping to garner similar recognition for her shoe game. The offerings, clad in silver in an apparent nod to her injury recovery, are expected to sell out fast when they're made public.
Here's what you need to know about Watkins and James' latest collaboration -- the LeBron NXXT Gen by JuJu "Silver Lining."
MORE: 2026 updated women's NCAA Tournament bracket
JuJu Watkins-LeBron James signature shoe release
Watkins collaborated with another Los Angeles basketball heavyweight -- LeBron James -- to craft her first signature shoe, the LeBron NXXT Gen by JuJu "Silver Lining."
The offering was co-created by Watkins and James. She introduced the footwear at Nike's community store in her hometown Watts last month. The piece is replete with details pertaining to Watkins' upbringing, including a quilted flower pattern that dances across the collar, a "By JuJu" doodle that sits on the back of the tongue and fat laces befitting of Los Angeles sneakers.
The shoe has proved a staple in Watkins' recovery; she often sports the kicks while completing ball-handling and shooting drills in rehab.
“I’m pretty far along (in recovery),” Watkins told The Athletic. “It’s been a long time since my injury, so I continue to attack every day. The shoe, it’s just extra motivation. Working out in something you created, I think it’s insane. I can’t wait to get out on the court and actually play in it.”
James donned the boots during a Feb. 7 game. Later that month, Watkins gifted the kicks to her Trojans teammates.
“LeBron has been a role model of mine since I’ve started basketball, not only as a player, but as a person,” Watkins said. "I’m honestly so grateful for him for taking that chance and giving me this opportunity.”
The LeBron NXXT Gen by JuJu "Silver Lining" will be available to purchase this summer.
MORE: When will JuJu Watkins return?
JuJu Watkins-Klutch Sports deal
Watkins and James' Nike collaboration wasn't their first time linking up in pursuit of shared business interests. The USC star inked a deal with Klutch Sports, the sports agency helmed by James' longtime agent, Rich Paul.
Watkins became the first high school athlete to sign with Klutch Sports, putting pen to paper during her junior year of high school. She shared ties with James beforehand, attending Sierra Canyon, the same school James' sons, Bronny and Bryce, played at.
“Community was kind of our first conversation,” Watkins said of her decision to join Klutch in 2022, per Yahoo Sports. “That’s what we shared in common, just pushing my narrative and how I want to impact not only the basketball side but my community and things outside of basketball.”
MORE: Carlan Gay's expert 2026 women's NCAA Tournament bracket
How much is JuJu Watkins' contract with Nike?
Watkins first signed with Nike in Oct. 2022, about one year before she made her USC debut. The contract represented a proactive offer for the Beaverton, Oregon-based company, who already found notable women's basketball partnerships with A'ja Wilson and Sabrina Ionescu prior to their courting of Watkins.
Watkins agreed to an extension with the sports apparel titan ahead of the 2024-25 season. The specific terms of Watkins' Nike contract are unknown, although the deal is believed to give her "one of the richest shoe endorsement contracts in women's basketball", according to ESPN's Shams Charania. Caitlin Clark landed an eight-year, $28 million contract with Nike ahead of her rookie campaign in 2024. It's unlikely that Watkins was able to surpass Clark's total as a collegiate player -- Clark was also subject to an intense bidding war between Nike and other shoe apparel powerhouses.
Nevertheless, Watkins' Nike contract likely features plenty of zeros. That figure could swell once she starts her WNBA career, too.
MORE: Maryland coach Brenda Frese, star Oluchi Okananwa go viral for tense but moving coaching moment
JuJu Watkins NIL deals
Watkins boasts more than 20 NIL agreements, having paired up with Taco Bell, Celsius, Degree and NYX Professional Makeup over the years. Here are some of her most notable NIL opportunities.
Unrivaled
Unrivaled presented by Samsung Galaxy just signed 14 of the top women’s college hoopers to game-changing NIL deals.
We’re kicking it off with The Future is Unrivaled Summit Presented by Samsung Galaxy in Miami at the end of July 🤩 Stay tuned for more 👀 pic.twitter.com/xhuCOewiWj
Fanatics
Fanatics announced an exclusive, multi-year trading card and memorabilia NIL deal with USC star JuJu Watkins.
Watkins becomes the first female collegiate athlete ever to have a deal of this kind with Fanatics. pic.twitter.com/IT9a2rY6o5
United Airlines
State Farm
A basketball star AND a good neighbor? Welcome to the neighborhood @Jujubballin 👏👏 pic.twitter.com/lKd0ZCNvZe
— State Farm (@StateFarm) November 25, 2024Funko
USC has Juju Watkins funko pops on the sideline 🥲 https://t.co/4nssLWlq5m pic.twitter.com/qbE3W63mTs
— Shabazz 💫 (@ShowCaseShabazz) March 30, 2025
English (US)