NCAA superstars are used to getting seeded sneakers from Nike, or if they’re big enough, getting their own PE colorways. It’s only a recent phenomenon that these college hoopers have their pairs hit retail shelves, but JuJu Watkins has pushed the envelope further with her Nike partnership. The King himself, LeBron James, teamed up with the USC women’s hoops star to co-create a new takedown Nike LeBron sneaker, the LeBron NXXT Gen By JuJu. Following a preview of the debut colorway, an official image of the Light Crimson variant has appeared.
The low-cut basketball shoe is done in an all-over crimson red finish that is perfect for the USC home court. Suede overlays on the toe and eyestay come in a darker red compared to the mesh midfoot and the shorter suede panel on the heel. The metallic Swoosh on the midfoot also dips into the crimson color code, while the laces take on a lighter red hue to match the mesh on the tongue below. Finishing the sneaker is the slick red midsole and outsole, which encapsulates full-length React foam and two forefoot Air Zoom units.
JuJu co-created this version of the Nike LeBron NXXT Gen, and she couldn’t have been more excited. “Working with LeBron to co-create a first is wild,” says JuJu. “It’s built for my game, my story. Shaping something to share with the next generation of hoopers means everything.” LeBron was also happy to have shared this moment with the USC prodigy, stating, “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.”
The Nike LeBron NXXT Gen by JuJu Light Crimson will be released March 12, 2026 through Nike and select retailers online and in-store. Available in unisex sizing, the retail price is set at $170. Download the Sole Retriever mobile app to stay updated on the latest happenings in the sneaker and streetwear world.
