WEBWIRE – Thursday, February 12, 2026
What to know
- JuJu Watkins is the first athlete to co-create the design of a hoop shoe within the LeBron NXXT Gen platform.
- The LeBron NXXT Gen by JuJu reflects JuJus continued rise to the top of the game and LeBron James longstanding commitment to giving back to the next generation by providing the tools to athletes on their path to greatness.
- The silhouette is built to help athletes command the floor with a fine-tuned balance of court feel and bounce.
- Striking design details reflect JuJus elevated style while honoring her hometown of Watts, Los Angeles.
- The silhouette will be available globally this summer at nike.com and select retailers.
Fearless. Explosive. Balanced.
Hoops phenom JuJu Watkins needs a shoe that helps her push the pace in every possession, and shes designed the LeBron NXXT Gen by JuJu to power the remarkable speed and control at the center of her game becoming the first athlete to co-create a hoop shoe within LeBron James NXXT Gen platform.
Working with LeBron to co-create a first is wild, says JuJu. Its built for my game, my story. Shaping something to share with the next generation of hoopers means everything.
JuJu worked alongside an expert team of Nike Basketball designers to create a shoe that emphasizes durability, comfort and cushioning in a modern aesthetic that pays homage to her upbringing in the Watts neighborhood of Los Angeles.
The result harnesses a fine-tuned balance of court feel and bounce that enables JuJus ability to both drive downhill and create her own shot from distance, commanding the floor with each touch.
The silhouette features a full-length Nike React foam midsole that provides elite responsiveness for quick, precise cuts from anywhere on the court. A pair of forefoot Air Zoom units delivers the bounce required for explosive plays with or without the ball. A flexible leather upper pairs with durable TPU support underneath to deliver standout cushioning and stability on every play, and the midsole and outsole construction create a modern yet classic look.
JuJus personal design touches include a premium jewel Swoosh, 16mm performance laces, double-row stitching, a quilted flower pattern on the interior collar and tongue, and an embroidered By JuJu doodle on the back of the tongue.
The Silver Lining launch colorway further emphasizes JuJus story and style, capturing her ability to turn to her community to find light in the most difficult moments. Every surface of the shoe bends light differently, reminding athletes that adversity is often just another angle and growth happens in the shadows.
Upcoming colorways pay additional tribute to Watts and JuJus second home at the nearby University of Southern California.
This attention to elevated storytelling and detail mirrors LeBrons dedication to tailored athlete expression, pinnacle innovation and premium off-court style. By working together to co-create the new NXXT Gen silhouette, LeBron is celebrating JuJu as a defining force for the future of the game and reinforcing his longstanding commitment to giving back to the next generation.
JuJu is a great ambassador of todays game, and this shoe gives her one more tool to chart her own path on and off the court, says LeBron. Nike footwear has been another way for me to share my story with athletes and fans around the world, so its exciting to share the NXXT Gen platform with JuJu for a shoe that will inspire a new generation of hoopers to put in the work and believe in themselves.
The LeBron NXXT Gen by JuJu will be available globally in the Silver Lining colorway this summer at nike.com and select retailers.
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