JuJu Watkins became the first athlete to co-create a basketball shoe within the LeBron NXXT Gen line when the “Silver Lining” edition debuted on February 11, at a hometown event in Watts, Los Angeles.
The launch, held at the Nike Watts Community Store as part of JuJu’s NXXT Gen Jam, marked a milestone for the USC star and for Lebron’s NXXT Gen platform. The collaboration is not a player-exclusive colorway or a standalone signature model. Instead, it represents Watkins’ first co-designed sneaker release, a significant step as she builds toward what could eventually become her own signature line.
Nike said in a news release that Watkins is the first athlete, male or female, to co-create a shoe within the LeBron NXXT Gen sneaker line. The line is an accessible performance option inspired by LeBron James’ on-court demands, and also aims to support the next generation of players while expanding innovation.
Watkins has the distinction of being one of the most accomplished and marketable players in women’s college basketball. She earned 2025 Naismith Player of the Year honors and is widely regarded as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2027 WNBA Draft. In October 2024, she signed a lucrative contract extension with Nike, her second agreement with the company, in what ESPN reported as the richest shoe endorsement deal in women’s basketball history.
The rollout
On February 7, LeBron James debuted the “Silver Lining” colorway during a nationally televised game against the Golden State Warriors on ESPN, introducing the shoe on the NBA stage.
Four days later, Watkins unveiled it in her community, at JuJu’s NXXT Gen Jam, hosting local kids and youth athletes in Watts for drills and programming tied to the launch. The event underscored her ties to Los Angeles and her stated commitment to creating access for the next generation. Members of the USC women’s basketball program were in attendance in Watts, and the release drew attention from basketball and sneaker outlets as the All-Star calendar approached.
Nike Basketball and Watkins shared official images for the debut across social media the same day, amplifying the moment ahead of the 2026 NBA All-Star Weekend.
Design rooted in community and performance
Nike said the “Silver Lining” colorway reflects Watkins’ personal style while paying tribute to her hometown of Watts. Within her community, Watkins has found light — the silver lining — during her most challenging moments.
Metallic silver tones anchor the upper and are paired with a premium jewel Swoosh. Quilted flower patterns line the interior collar and tongue, while Nike states different surfaces, “Bends light differently,” as a stated reminder, “That adversity is often just another angle and growth.” This design element serves as a motivational nod back to JuJu’s strength cultivated in Los Angeles.
Performance-wise, the shoe is designed for durability and comfort, featuring responsive cushioning that helps balance court feel and bounce. The silhouette blends modern tooling with classic basketball proportions. Nike positioned the model around three attributes: fearless, explosive, and balanced.
“JuJu is a great ambassador of today’s game, and this shoe gives her one more tool to chart her own path on and off the court,” LeBron James said in the company’s release.
For Watkins, the collaboration carried both competitive and cultural weight.
“Working with LeBron to co-create a first is wild,” she said in the release. “It’s built for my game, my story. Shaping something to share with the next generation of hoopers means everything.”
The LeBron NXXT Gen by JuJu “Silver Lining” is scheduled to release globally this summer on nike.com and at select retailers.
Watkins continues her return from a torn ACL sustained in March 2025, while remaining a central figure in women’s college basketball. With the 2027 WNBA Draft on the horizon and her partnership with Nike entering a new phase, the co-created Lebron NXXT Gen by JuJu signals both present influence and future ambition. Watkins’ impact has been felt on the court, while off the court, she continues to move further within the business of the sport.
