LeBron James and USC's JuJu Watkins Unveil NXXT Gen Shoe

LeBron James and USC guard JuJu Watkins co-created a LeBron NXXT Gen shoe, with the "Silver Lining" colorway due this summer. Watkins said "Working with LeBron to co-create a first is wild" and that it is "built for my game, my story." Nike praises its "balance of court feel and bounce" tailored to her downhill drives and shot creation. Merlin notes the move keeps Watkins prominent despite a torn ACL. Nike signed her to an NIL deal in 2024, a pact Shams Charania called "one of the richest shoe endorsement deals in women's basketball." Watkins averaged 25.5 points, 7 rebounds and 3.4 assists as a two-time All-American. Co-creating under LeBron's line is a clear step toward a solo signature sneaker.