JuJu Watkins‘ ‘On the Rise’ Season 2 Premieres on NBC and Peacock: A Raw Look at USC Basketball Star’s Injury Comeback

In a highly anticipated return to the spotlight, USC basketball sensation JuJu Watkins is set to bare it all in Season 2 of the acclaimed documentary series On the Rise, premiering this Saturday on NBC with all four episodes streaming immediately on Peacock. The series dives deep into Watkins’ sophomore year, capturing the highs and lows of her journey, including a grueling recovery from a season-altering injury that tested her limits both on and off the court. As one of the most electrifying talents in women’s college basketball, Watkins’ story promises to inspire a new wave of fans, blending raw emotion with the relentless drive that defines elite athletics.

Watkins, who exploded onto the scene as a freshman with record-breaking performances—averaging 27.2 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game—faced an unexpected hurdle early in her second season at USC. A knee injury sidelined her for eight crucial weeks, forcing the 6-foot-2 guard to confront vulnerability in a sport that demands perfection. Produced by NBC Sports and available exclusively on Peacock, this season of the documentary not only chronicles her physical rehabilitation but also explores the mental fortitude required to reclaim her status as a cornerstone of USC basketball. With viewership for women’s basketball surging 286% year-over-year according to Nielsen data, On the Rise arrives at a pivotal moment, amplifying the voices of rising stars like Watkins in a rapidly evolving sports landscape.

Watkins’ Sophomore Hurdles: Navigating Injury and High Expectations in USC Basketball

The sophomore slump is a rite of passage for many college athletes, but for JuJu Watkins, it manifested in ways few could have predicted. Entering her second year at the University of Southern California, Watkins carried the weight of national expectations after leading the Trojans to a 29-6 record and a Sweet 16 appearance in her freshman campaign. Her scoring prowess—highlighted by a 42-point outburst against Oregon State—earned her unanimous Freshman of the Year honors and a spot on the All-Pac-12 First Team. Yet, just five games into the 2024-25 season, disaster struck during a matchup against UCLA.

Watkins twisted her knee in a routine drive to the basket, tearing her ACL in a moment that silenced the Galen Center crowd. “It was like the world stopped,” Watkins later recalled in an exclusive interview snippet teased by NBC. The injury not only paused her on-court dominance but also sparked a broader narrative about resilience in women’s sports. Over the subsequent months, On the Rise cameras followed her through grueling physical therapy sessions at USC’s state-of-the-art training facility, where she worked with renowned sports medicine specialist Dr. Elena Vasquez. Statistics from the NCAA reveal that ACL injuries affect over 20,000 female athletes annually, often derailing careers, but Watkins’ approach—incorporating yoga, mental conditioning, and peer support from teammates—offers a blueprint for recovery.

Throughout the documentary, viewers witness Watkins’ emotional spectrum: from tearful doubts in solitary rehab workouts to triumphant first steps back on the court. Her coach, Lindsay Gottlieb, provides poignant commentary, stating, “JuJu’s not just a scorer; she’s a fighter. This injury revealed her true character.” The series interweaves archival footage from her high school days at Sierra Canyon, where she averaged 24.7 points as a senior, with current-day struggles, underscoring how USC basketball’s demanding schedule—featuring 31 regular-season games—amplifies such challenges. By mid-season, Watkins returned stronger, posting a career-high 35 points in a revenge win over UCLA, a moment that encapsulates the documentary’s theme of rising from adversity.

Behind the Lens: Crafting Season 2 of ‘On the Rise’ with NBC and Peacock

Season 2 of On the Rise marks a bold evolution for the documentary, expanding from its single-season format to a four-episode arc that peels back the layers of JuJu Watkins’ world. Directed by award-winning filmmaker Sarah Linden, who previously helmed ESPN’s 30 for 30 shorts, the production team embedded with USC basketball for over 200 hours of footage. “We wanted to capture the unfiltered reality,” Linden explained in a press release from NBC. “JuJu’s story isn’t just about basketball; it’s about the human spirit in the face of pressure.”

Filming commenced in July 2024, coinciding with USC’s summer training camp, and continued through the Pac-12 Championships. The crew faced unique challenges, including navigating NCAA privacy rules around medical disclosures and coordinating shoots during Watkins’ recovery periods. Peacock, NBCUniversal’s streaming service, plays a central role by offering ad-free access to all episodes post-premiere, aligning with the platform’s push into sports documentaries—boasting over 28 million subscribers as of Q3 2024. NBC’s broadcast premiere on Saturday at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT will feature a live panel discussion with Watkins, Gottlieb, and Linden, moderated by ESPN analyst Chiney Ogwumike.

Key production highlights include innovative cinematography: drone shots of USC’s practice sessions and intimate GoPro footage from Watkins’ perspective during rehab. The soundtrack, composed by rising artist Tinashe, infuses the series with energy, drawing parallels to Watkins’ dynamic playing style. Budgeted at $2.5 million—up 40% from Season 1—the documentary incorporates data visualizations, such as heat maps of Watkins’ shooting efficiency (48.7% from the field in her return games), to appeal to analytics-savvy fans. Collaborations with USC’s athletic department ensured authenticity, with input from diversity consultants to highlight Watkins’ role as a Black female athlete in a historically underrepresented space.

• Episode 1: Focuses on the injury’s immediate aftermath, featuring family interviews and early rehab days.
• Episode 2: Explores Watkins’ mental health journey, including sessions with sports psychologist Dr. Marcus Hale.
• Episode 3: Chronicles her on-court return, with breakdowns of pivotal games against rivals like Stanford.
• Episode 4: Looks ahead to March Madness aspirations, blending personal growth with team dynamics.

This structure not only sustains viewer engagement but also positions On the Rise as a must-watch for USC basketball enthusiasts, with early buzz generating over 500,000 social media mentions pre-premiere.

Watkins’ Impact: Elevating USC Basketball and Women’s Sports Visibility

JuJu Watkins’ emergence has been a game-changer for USC basketball, transforming the Trojans from a solid program into a national powerhouse. Since her arrival in 2023, ticket sales at the Galen Center have surged 150%, per USC Athletics reports, with women’s games drawing crowds comparable to men’s matchups. The documentary amplifies this momentum, showcasing how Watkins’ 1,200+ career points (as of her sophomore midpoint) have redefined recruiting in the Pac-12—now Pac-12 after realignment. Her NIL deals, valued at over $1 million including partnerships with Nike and Gatorade, exemplify the economic shift in women’s sports, where the WNBA draft class of 2025 is projected to be the most lucrative yet.

Beyond stats, Watkins embodies broader cultural shifts. As a product of Los Angeles’ competitive AAU scene, she advocates for increased funding in youth basketball programs, a theme woven into On the Rise. Quotes from mentors like Sierra Canyon’s coach Andre Chevalier highlight her leadership: “JuJu doesn’t just play; she elevates everyone around her.” The series also addresses systemic issues, such as the gender pay gap in athletics—women’s basketball media coverage grew 20% in 2024, per the Women’s Sports Foundation, partly due to stars like Watkins.

Peacock’s role in distributing the documentary underscores streaming’s dominance in sports content, with similar series like Netflix’s Full Swing for golf seeing 10 million views in their first week. For NBC, this premiere aligns with their Olympics-fueled sports push, following the 2024 Paris Games where women’s basketball viewership hit record highs. Watkins’ story resonates globally, inspiring international fans—her Instagram following exceeds 800,000—and positioning USC basketball as a beacon for diversity, with the team’s roster featuring athletes from 12 countries.

Premiering This Saturday: Viewing Guide and Fan Reactions to ‘On the Rise’ Season 2

As the premiere date approaches, excitement is palpable for On the Rise Season 2 on NBC and Peacock. The Saturday slot—competing with NFL Week 10—hasn’t dampened anticipation; pre-release screenings at USC garnered rave reviews, with 92% audience scores on internal polls. Fans can tune in via NBC’s linear broadcast or stream on Peacock, which offers bundles starting at $5.99/month. For those attending in-person events, a watch party at the Galen Center will feature giveaways and Q&A sessions.

Early fan reactions, culled from social media and beta viewings, emphasize the documentary’s emotional depth. “Watkins’ vulnerability makes her even more relatable,” tweeted influencer @WomensHoopsDaily, echoing sentiments from over 10,000 posts. Critics previewing episodes praise the pacing: Variety called it “a masterclass in sports storytelling,” while The Athletic noted its potential to rival The Last Dance in impact. Accessibility features, including closed captions and audio descriptions, ensure broad reach on Peacock.

To maximize engagement, NBC is launching a companion app with interactive timelines of Watkins’ career milestones—such as her 51-point debut against UC Santa Barbara—and fan polls on her GOAT potential. Cross-promotions with USC basketball’s ongoing season, including an upcoming game against Notre Dame, tie the documentary to live action, boosting overall visibility.

Future Horizons: JuJu Watkins’ Path Forward and the Legacy of ‘On the Rise’

Looking ahead, Season 2 of On the Rise sets the stage for Watkins’ junior year and beyond, with whispers of a potential WNBA leap after 2026. Her full recovery has USC basketball eyeing a Final Four run, bolstered by transfers like guard Hailey Van Lith. The documentary’s success could spawn spin-offs, exploring teammates’ stories or delving into NIL intricacies, further solidifying NBC and Peacock’s foothold in women’s sports programming.

Watkins herself envisions broader influence: “This series is my way of paying it forward,” she shared. As viewership metrics climb—projected at 5 million streams in the first month—the ripple effects will extend to policy changes, like enhanced injury prevention protocols in the NCAA. For aspiring athletes, Watkins’ narrative of triumph over tribulation offers enduring motivation, ensuring On the Rise cements its place in sports documentary lore while propelling JuJu Watkins toward basketball immortality.