Nike has unveiled a stunning new mural of USC basketball sensation JuJu Watkins at the iconic Hotel Figueroa in Downtown L.A., host of past Kobe and Lakers murals. This tribute cements Watkins’ growing influence in the city’s sports scene.
Why is JuJu Watkins replacing a Kobe mural in L.A.?
As the star of the USC women’s basketball team, JuJu Watkins will dominate the sport for years to come. She is already one of the biggest college athletes in the country.
Now she joins an elite group of athletes, including Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal, who have been honored in the same historic building.
Nike and L.A. honor Watkins’ impact
The mural comes just days after Watkins delivered a dominant performance against UCLA. She led USC to a crucial victory with 38 points, 11 rebounds, and eight blocks. JuJu Watkins will change the game in the WNBA for years to come.
Nike, recognizing her influence on and off the court, commissioned the artwork to celebrate her meteoric rise and connection to the city where she was born and raised.
An iconic Kobe mural in L.A.
Located in the heart of Downtown L.A., the Hotel Figueroa has long been a canvas for legendary athletes. It was the place to showcase the elite talent of former NBA champions in Los Angeles, like Kobe Bryant or Shaquille O’Neal in the early 2000s.
Also, the placement of Watkins’ mural symbolizes her emergence as the new face of women’s basketball in Los Angeles, a city known for producing some of the greatest names in sports history.
Watkins’ growing legacy with Nike
Watkins is already a Nike athlete under a multiyear deal. She continues to build her brand alongside some of the biggest names in basketball. Also, she is represented by Klutch Sports, the same agency that handles LeBron James.
Her partnership with Nike signals her growing status as a generational talent and cultural icon.
As Watkins continues to dominate on the court, her presence in the city is becoming undeniable. This mural serves as a reminder that a new era of basketball in Los Angeles is unfolding. One led by JuJu Watkins.