Watkins is a global basketball sensation — at 20 years old. Everything that has happened in the past year has been a great diversion for someone looking to put the past hurdles behind her and return to the court as quickly as possible.

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“I’m in a really good place,” Watkins told The Athletic in an exclusive interview. “Just being able to pour into my teammates and having such a strong support system, that’s got me through this moment and through this time. I’m continuing to go through it, but not taking any day for granted. Trying to get out there as soon as I can, but also listening to my body. I’m still growing as a player, even though I’m not out there.”

Watkins was having a spectacular sophomore season when she was injured last March. The 6-foot-2 guard was averaging 23.9 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 2.2 steals and 1.8 blocks and ultimately earned multiple accolades, including the Naismith College Player of the Year, the AP Player of the Year, the John R. Wooden Award and the Big Ten Female Athlete of the Year. Last season came to a halt at the 4:43 mark of the first quarter the Spokane Regional contest against Mississippi State when she was fouled on a fast-break drive and went down and clutched her right knee.

This season, however, has been about learning and growing without filling the stat sheets, being a better person and teammate now in an effort to becoming even better next season.

“When I’m on the bench I’m imagining myself in certain situations, helping my teammates while they’re playing and seeing how I can play certain things when I get back.” Watkins said. “So, just that, and then, just the overall maturity for the game. You know, not taking any moment for granted, as well.”

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What has helped occupy Watkins’ time away from the court has been her signature shoe, which will be released to the public for purchase this summer. She introduced her shoe at Nike’s community store in Watts last month, as signs reading “Watts Made” and “Give Watts Its Flowers” supported her apparel achievement.

Watkins is the first athlete with a signature shoe under the LeBron NXXT brand. In the creative process involvement, Watkins said she wanted to add details that were special to her. A quilted flower pattern appears on the interior collar and tongue. The back of the tongue has a “By JuJu” doodle.

The laces with the shoes are 16 millimeters, slightly thicker than standard laces. “Fat laces” are a staple of Southern California culture, and Watkins said she wanted to “pay homage” to her Los Angeles roots with that touch. Additionally, the “Silver Lining” colorway is a nod to her finding the good in situations, including her bounce-back from injury.

On Feb. 7, James wore Watkins’ shoe before the Los Angeles Lakers-Golden State Warriors game. Days later, Watkins gifted her USC teammates the new shoe last month.

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Watkins has been involved in personally testing the shoe. She wears it during her rehab workouts.

“I’m pretty far along (in recovery),” Watkins said. “It’s been a long time since my injury, so I continue to attack every day. The shoe, it’s just extra motivation. Working out in something you created, I think it’s insane. I can’t wait to get out on the court and actually play in it.”

The low-top sneaker was designed for Watkins game, said Jarrett Mann, vice president of Nike Basketball footwear. Mann said Watkins’ aggressive playing style and how she attacks a defense meant making a shoe responsive to her movements was important. Mann said Watkins excels at “shooting gaps,” or splitting a double-team by getting in between both defenders rather than dribbling away to go around them in addition to her ability to move laterally.

“Some of the mechanics we talked about was that side-to-side movement,” Mann said. “How do you maintain that mobility? Her ability to shoot the gaps is bar none — taking space, not looking for open space.”

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The shoe being connected to James is special, too, Watkins said.

“LeBron has been a role model of mine since I’ve started basketball, not only as a player, but as a person,” she said. “To have him trust me with this process and trust my creative skills, to be really supportive, believe in me for the player I am … it’s just insane to have your idol feel that way towards you. I’m honestly so grateful for him for taking that chance and giving me this opportunity.”

Watkins also understands the shoe moment is big in that James chose a women’s player to represent the brand. Women’s basketball continues to grow in popularity, and Watkins is expected to be a big part of that when she returns to USC next season and once she’s in the WNBA.

Watkins is eagerly anticipating returning to the court with her teammates. For now, she will always have the experience in Watts.

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It’s one of several reminders of the legacy she is establishing, even at this early stage of her career, and she appreciates the journey.

“I definitely don’t take anything for granted to be able to have this opportunity and hope that the younger girls behind me can do something even bigger,” Watkins said. “Just continue to change the game in any way that I can and show girls what’s possible and what they can do.”

This article originally appeared in The Athletic.

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