JuJu Watkins documentary highlights USC basketball star's rise to superstardom

The big picture: Watkins balances her fearless alter ego on the court with her playful and humble side as a teenager who enjoys playing Connect Four and relies on her mom to perfect her pregame bun during her senior year at Sierra Canyon.

Zoom out: "On the Rise" starts with her decision on where to play college ball and dips into the family structure that gives her the scaffolding she needs to support superstardom.

• Hailing from Watts, Watkins, 19, in her first season, became the all-time leading scorer among Division I freshmen and propelled USC to its first Elite Eight appearance in 30 years.
• Described by ESPN as "the next big thing in college hoops" and the Los Angeles Times as "your favorite basketball player's favorite basketball player."

Zoom in: The series premiered Nov. 23 on NBC and Peacock, with new episodes available on Peacock and NBC Sports FAST Channel throughout the season.

• The documentary, produced by 4.4Forty Media, Uninterrupted and State Farm, collaborates with sports storytelling heavyweights.
• LeBron James, Maverick Carter and Rich Paul are executive producers alongside Watkins, the show's star and executive producer. This approach empowers athletes to own their narratives.

What they're saying: Danny Barton, 4.4.Forty Media executive producer and Klutch Sports VP of sports content, says this has been "a passion project for me and the team since JuJu was a senior in high school."

• "From the start, we wanted to capture her story authentically — from choosing her college to navigating life with her family's support and the community around her," he said of Watkins who has been in the national spotlight since seventh grade.

The documentary offers viewers an in-depth perspective as the 6-foot-2 guard was recruited two years ago by Dawn Staley, the legendary coach who has led the University of South Carolina Gamecocks to three national championships, and Lindsay Gottlieb, the women's head coach for the USC Trojans, a historic franchise with a tremendous opportunity.

• The appeal is real as Watkins and her family spend quality time with Staley and the team. The cameras capture a moment when Watkins stares at a statue of standout A'ja Wilson in front of Colonial Life Arena.

• During her visit, Gottlieb, the Trojans coach, treats Watkins like royalty, providing her with a throne on the court for photos. However, Watkins — the Naismith Girls High School Player of the Year — desires to share this experience with her team.

Ultimately, the appeal of being at home — and maybe to create history — won out. The Trojans have started the season with high interest and expectations, including being ranked No. 3 in the Associated Press Top 25.

• Last week, Watkins dropped 24 points in a 74-61 loss, their first of the season.
• The team has bounced back and will face Oregon, their next ranked opponent, on Dec. 7.

Barton notes that this story "isn't just about basketball; it's about JuJu's roots in Watts, her dedication, and her humility, which we felt had to be documented in a way that shows her whole experience."

What's next: Barton says we are "in an amazing moment for women's sports," and they are in talks to continue the story.

• "JuJu's journey is just beginning, and there's a lot more to tell as she progresses in her career."
• "Women athletes, especially Black women, have powerful stories that deserve platforms like this."

Go deeper: JuJu Watkins is college basketball's next ambassador