The WNBA’s growing impact in the world of sport has been a talking point in recent years. Rookies are leading the way for the league as players like Caitlin Clark, Paige Bueckers and Angel Reese are influencing the markets and expanding the league’s fanbase. Upcoming players also bring in similar pull with Azzi Fudd and JuJu Watkins already nailing big NIL deals.
Watkins revealed why women dominate the NIL landscape, calling them naturally better, giving them an upper hand in the deals. Now she landed another mega collaboration, this time with LeBron James, one of the biggest names in basketball.
LeBron James Praises JuJu Watkins
With LBJ’s signature Nike shoes already leading the sales, it just added another star power from the ‘W’ side, collaborating with USC’s megastar. The explosive guard will now represent the brand in women’s basketball, becoming the first athlete chosen to co-create a sneaker for LeBron James’ Nike NXXT Gen line.
Praising the youngster, James said, “Juju is an unbelievable basketball player and more importantly an unbelievable person. To be able to collab with her was amazing…hopefully we can inspire everyone who loves the game.”
LeBron James on new sneaker collab with JuJu Watkins:
— Michael J. Duarte (@michaeljduarte) February 15, 2026
“Juju is an unbelievable basketball player and more importantly an unbelievable person. To be able to collab with her was amazing…hopefully we can inspire everyone who loves the game.”
Earlier, James called the playmaker the ambassador of today’s game and mentioned that his shoe gives her one more tool to chart her own path on and off the court. The Lakers’ forward showed excitement, sharing the NXXT Gen platform with JuJu for a shoe that will inspire a new generation of hoopers.
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According to the updates, the NCAA star will have her first “Silver Lining” colorway out in the summer. Incidentally, the sneaker giants chose it as the first model to capture the college hoops star’s ability to find light in difficult moments. The step was taken, looking at her work with an ACL injury. Watkins also showed excitement with the collab and said, “It’s built for my game, my story. Shaping something to share with the next generation of hoopers means everything.“
The player wore her first Nike LBJ pair on Sunday at the NBA All-Star game, with Bron making his record 22nd appearance in the event.
JuJu Watkins Attends NBA All-Star Game
The NBA All-Star game attracted many more celebrities in LA. The Intuit Centre welcomed Watkins, too, who was in casuals with a white full sleeve shirt and a black skirt, along with a matching pair of white sneakers and a black purse.
JUJU WITH THE STARS ⭐
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) February 15, 2026
USC star @Jujubballin at the Intuit Dome for the 2026 All-Star Game 😤@USCWBB pic.twitter.com/nvhJtQgqTA
While the 21-year-old was coaching freshman Jazzy Davidson during USC’s NCAA game, at the All-Star weekend, she was a student of the game, absorbing all the knowledge from the NBA’s best stars of the current generation.
On a personal front, though, she is focusing on rehabilitation for a strong return in 2026 for her senior year, with plans to be fully ready for the 2026-27 season.