“Insight into who I am, my values, and my story, because I take so much pride in it,” JuJu Watkins says, speaking of her documentary On the Rise: JuJu Watkins. The series, backed by LeBron James’ Uninterrupted production company, follows the young talent from a high school phenom translating into college as a USC guard. Sure it is a journey of pride for the 19-year-old, but if you ask her to take a look at it through the camera lens, she may rather avoid.

On the latest episode of the podcast Good Game with Sarah Spain, host Sarah asked JuJu about the experience of having cameras follow her for the docuseries.

Watkins, ever humble about the journey, admitted that adjusting to the filming process had its challenges. “Yeah, it’s definitely been an adjustment with the cameras being around, and then I think one of the worst parts… They’re not the worst part, but like it’s me like watching the film back, I hate like watching that so like it’s so cringey to me,” she shared. It’s clear from her tone that the reality of seeing herself on film—especially in such an intimate way—has been a hurdle for the 19-year-old phenom.

The series has captured not just her incredible basketball skills—like her record-breaking 60-point game on prom night—but also the everyday challenges of being a teenager in the spotlight. Watkins has thrived in this environment, averaging 25 points per game as a sophomore and leading USC to the Elite Eight for the first time in 30 years. Away from the sports, it also follows the 2024 Freshman of the Year’s moments with her family and the community, truly offering insight into who she is.

Uninterrupted, alongside Klutch Sports, State Farm, and 4.4.Forty, was more than eager to bring the story to the front. “I actually remember calling Jamal about this when we first started, and just saying, ‘look like we need to put cameras on her, because something great is going to come out of this.’” 4.4.Forty Media’s Danny Barton had said.

So despite her discomfort, Watkins acknowledged the professionalism, saying, “Uninterrupted has been great, like in terms of making the decisions or like agreeing to the edits, because you know, there’s been a lot of those from myself, but it’s just been really patient with me throughout this whole process.”

JuJu herself is one of the producers of the show, and despite admittedly being an introvert, thought it necessary to tell her through the project. She is excited about it all, and so is LeBron James.

LeBron James happy to play a part in JuJu Watkins’ making the firsts

The 6-episode doscuseries premiered on NBC and Peacock on the 23rd of November this year. It was the first documentary a college athlete ever produced about themselves while still playing in the NCAA. As the news of its arrival was announced, LeBron James took to social media to share his enthusiasm. “Excited to share this with the world,” he wrote, sharing an exclusive article from Hollywood Reporter.

The LA Lakers icon is one among Maverick Carter, Devin Johnson, Jamal Henderson and Philip Byron for UNINTERRUPTED and Danny Barton of 4.4.Forty Media, to be an executive producer on the show. Women’s sports is booming and the production houses here are making the most of it. But for James, it is about more than profit.

He has previously emphasised his view on equality in sports. “Over the course of time we’ve seen so many great female athletes… they have to and will continue to transcend the game. It’s not all about males; it’s about equality,” he had expressed. Well, looks like he is playing his part, right from the roots, and JuJu Watkins couldn’t have been a better start.