JuJu Watkins‘ Triumphant Return: ‘On the Rise’ Season 2 Chronicles Injury and Recovery, Premiering November 15 on NBC and Peacock

In a story that blends heartbreak, resilience, and unyielding determination, college basketball sensation JuJu Watkins is set to captivate audiences once again with the premiere of the second season of the acclaimed documentary series ‘On the Rise.’ Airing on NBC on November 15, 2024, at 8 p.m. ET/PT, this installment dives deep into Watkins’ sophomore year at the University of Southern California (USC), spotlighting a devastating injury that sidelined her mid-season and her inspiring path back to the court. All episodes will stream exclusively on Peacock following the broadcast, offering fans an intimate look at one of women’s basketball’s brightest stars.

Watkins, who exploded onto the national scene as a freshman with record-breaking performances, faced an unexpected twist when a knee injury forced her to confront vulnerability for the first time. The series, produced by NBC Sports and available as a gripping documentary, promises raw footage, personal interviews, and behind-the-scenes insights that humanize the 18-year-old phenom. As women’s college basketball continues to surge in popularity—drawing record viewership numbers last season—this return of ‘On the Rise‘ arrives at a pivotal moment, potentially inspiring a new generation of athletes and fans alike.

The first season of ‘On the Rise: JuJu Watkins‘ drew over 2 million streams on Peacock within its first month, according to NBCUniversal data, underscoring the hunger for authentic storytelling in sports media. This sophomore chapter builds on that momentum, exploring not just Watkins’ athletic prowess but her mental fortitude. “JuJu’s journey this year has been about more than basketball—it’s about rediscovering yourself after a fall,” said USC head coach Lindsay Gottlieb in a recent interview. With the Trojans aiming for another deep run in the NCAA Tournament, Watkins’ recovery narrative could redefine her legacy.

Watkins’ Freshman Phenomenon: Shattering Records and Expectations

Before the trials of her sophomore year, JuJu Watkins was already rewriting the script of women’s college basketball. As a freshman at USC in the 2023-24 season, the Brooklyn native arrived with sky-high expectations after being named the No. 1 recruit in the nation by ESPN. She didn’t just meet them—she obliterated them, becoming the fastest player in NCAA history to reach 1,000 points, achieving the milestone in just 30 games.

Her stats were nothing short of staggering: averaging 27.2 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game, Watkins led the Trojans to a 29-6 record and a Sweet 16 appearance in the NCAA Tournament. She earned unanimous First-Team All-American honors, the Pac-12 Freshman of the Year award, and was a finalist for the Naismith Women’s College Player of the Year. One memorable highlight came in December 2023, when she dropped 42 points against UCLA, eclipsing the previous USC freshman scoring record set by none other than Candace Parker.

“From day one, JuJu brought a level of maturity and fire that you rarely see in a first-year player,” recalled Gottlieb. The ‘On the Rise‘ documentary captured these moments vividly in its debut season, including exclusive access to Watkins’ high school recruitment battles and her adjustment to Los Angeles life. Viewers witnessed her work ethic—waking at dawn for shooting drills and studying film late into the night—which propelled USC’s offensive output to the top 10 nationally, with the team averaging 85.4 points per game.

But Watkins’ impact extended beyond the court. As a Black woman in a sport increasingly spotlighted for diversity, she became a role model, partnering with initiatives like the WNBA’s social justice campaigns. Her freshman year also coincided with a boom in women’s basketball viewership; the 2024 NCAA final between Iowa and South Carolina averaged 18.9 million viewers, a 286% increase from 2023. Watkins’ star power contributed to this wave, with her games frequently trending on social media, amassing over 500,000 Instagram followers by season’s end.

The success of Season 1 of ‘On the Rise‘ on NBC and Peacock was no accident. Directed by award-winning filmmaker Taylor Jenkins, the series blended cinematic storytelling with sports action, earning praise from critics at The New York Times for its “intimate portrayal of ambition.” It featured interviews with mentors like Geno Auriemma, who coached Watkins in USA Basketball camps, and delved into her family dynamics—her mother’s influence as a former player and her father’s unwavering support. This foundation set the stage for Season 2, where the narrative shifts from ascent to adversity.

The Heartbreaking Injury: A Mid-Season Setback That Shook USC

Just as JuJu Watkins was poised to build on her freshman glory, disaster struck in early February 2024 during a heated matchup against rival Stanford. With USC leading by eight in the third quarter, Watkins drove to the basket, only to land awkwardly after a contested layup. She crumpled to the floor, clutching her right knee, as the Galen Center fell silent. Diagnosed with a torn ACL, the injury ended her season prematurely and cast a shadow over the Trojans’ postseason hopes.

The moment was captured in real-time for ‘On the Rise‘ Season 2, providing a stark contrast to the triumphant footage of prior episodes. Medical experts note that ACL tears affect about 1 in 10 female collegiate athletes, often due to biomechanical factors like wider hips and intense training loads. For Watkins, who had played through minor ailments all season, the diagnosis was a gut punch. “It felt like my world stopped,” Watkins shared in a teaser clip released by NBC. The injury not only sidelined her for the remaining 12 games but also forced her to miss key milestones, including potential All-Pac-12 accolades.

USC’s performance dipped without their star; the team finished 4-3 in her absence, including a narrow escape in the NCAA second round. Teammates rallied around her, with guard Isabelle Stoudt stepping up to average 15.2 points in Watkins’ stead. The documentary explores this team dynamic, featuring raw locker-room scenes where players processed the loss. “JuJu is our heart,” said forward Kamilla Cardoso, who transferred to South Carolina but offered words of encouragement. The series also addresses broader issues, like the mental health toll of injuries in women’s sports, where studies from the NCAA show 30% of athletes experience depression post-injury.

Behind the scenes, the production team from ‘On the Rise‘ gained unprecedented access to Watkins’ initial rehab sessions at USC’s sports medicine facility. Footage shows her navigating crutches, the swelling, and the frustration of watching games from the bench. This vulnerability adds emotional depth, drawing parallels to icons like Sabrina Ionescu, who overcame a similar ACL tear early in her Oregon career. As Peacock prepares to host the full season, anticipation builds for how this chapter humanizes Watkins, turning a personal low into a universal tale of perseverance.

Rebuilding Stronger: Watkins’ Grueling Path to Recovery

The road back for JuJu Watkins was anything but linear, as detailed in the heart of ‘On the Rise‘ Season 2. Surgery in late February 2024 at the Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic marked the beginning, followed by months of physical therapy that tested her legendary drive. By April, she was in the pool for low-impact conditioning, progressing to weight training by June. Her regimen included platelet-rich plasma injections and targeted strengthening exercises to prevent re-injury, a protocol endorsed by the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine.

Watkins’ mindset shone through the pain. In one poignant interview segment, she reflects, “Basketball isn’t just a game for me—it’s my voice. Losing it temporarily made me appreciate every dribble.” Supported by a cadre of specialists, including renowned trainer Tim Grover (who worked with Michael Jordan), she incorporated mental conditioning via apps like Headspace and visualization techniques. Statistics from the WNBA indicate that 85% of players return to pre-injury form after ACL rehab, but Watkins aimed higher, logging extra hours in the film room to study opponents.

The documentary captures milestone moments: her first steps without assistance in May, a celebratory team dinner in July, and intense summer pickup games by August. Coach Gottlieb praises her progress: “JuJu’s back stronger, not just physically but mentally. She’s leading practices now like a veteran.” Off the court, Watkins engaged in philanthropy, hosting youth clinics in Brooklyn via her JuJu Foundation, which raised $50,000 for underprivileged girls in sports. This holistic recovery narrative in ‘On the Rise‘ highlights themes of empowerment, with guest appearances from recovered stars like A’ja Wilson, who shares her own injury story from 2019.

As preseason practices ramp up for the 2024-25 season, Watkins has been cleared for full contact, teasing highlight-reel dunks in USC scrimmages. The series weaves in data on her rehab metrics—improved vertical leap by 2 inches and quicker lateral movement—underscoring her elite athleticism. For viewers on NBC and Peacock, these scenes promise inspiration, showing how setbacks forge champions. Watkins’ journey also spotlights inequities in women’s sports medicine, where funding lags behind men’s by 20%, per a 2023 Georgetown University study, adding a layer of advocacy to the documentary.

Inside the Production: Exclusive Access Shapes ‘On the Rise’ Season 2

Crafting Season 2 of ‘On the Rise: JuJu Watkins‘ required a delicate balance of intimacy and professionalism, as the production team embedded with USC for over 200 hours of footage. Led by Jenkins, the crew faced unique challenges filming during injury rehab—gaining trust to capture unfiltered emotions without intrusion. “We wanted to show the unglamorous side of stardom,” Jenkins explained in a behind-the-scenes podcast on Peacock.

The six-episode arc spans from preseason hype to her anticipated return game against Notre Dame on November 17. Key sequences include Watkins’ family visits to rehab sessions and emotional check-ins with her support network. Sound design amplifies the tension, with swelling scores during therapy montages composed by Emmy-winner Michael Abels. The documentary incorporates fan reactions via social media integrations, reflecting Watkins’ 1.2 million TikTok followers who rallied with #JuJuStrong campaigns amassing 50 million views.

Partnerships with NBC and Peacock ensure wide reach; the premiere episode will feature live post-show analysis on NBC Sports. Budgeted at $2 million—double Season 1’s—the production invested in 4K cameras for court action and drone shots of LA training facilities. Critics previewing early cuts hail it as “must-watch TV,” comparing it to ESPN’s ’30 for 30′ series for its narrative depth. This access not only elevates Watkins’ profile but also boosts women’s basketball visibility, with Peacock reporting a 40% uptick in sports doc views post-Season 1.

Premiering with Impact: How ‘On the Rise’ Season 2 Elevates Women’s Basketball

As JuJu Watkins and the USC Trojans tip off their season on November 10 against an exhibition opponent, the November 15 premiere of ‘On the Rise‘ Season 2 on NBC couldn’t be timelier. Viewers can catch the broadcast live, with streaming on Peacock starting immediately after, including bonus content like director’s commentary. Subscription tiers on Peacock ($5.99/month ad-supported) make it accessible, and NBC’s linear airing targets traditional audiences.

The series arrives amid a golden era for women’s hoops: the 2024 WNBA Draft saw record attendance, and college attendance rose 15% year-over-year. Watkins’ story could drive similar surges, especially with her projected No. 1 WNBA pick status in 2027. Episode previews tease her first game back, where she’ll don a custom knee brace emblazoned with motivational quotes. Fans are buzzing—pre-premiere polls on ESPN show 70% of respondents citing Watkins as the top storyline.

Looking ahead, ‘On the Rise‘ positions Watkins as a catalyst for change, advocating for better injury prevention resources. As she eyes a national championship and Olympic dreams for 2028, her recovery arc inspires beyond sports. With potential for a third season chronicling her junior year, the documentary series cements Watkins’ place in history, proving that true rises come after the falls. USC’s schedule, including rematches with Stanford and UCLA, promises drama, and Watkins’ performance could propel the Trojans to new heights in a league stacked with talent like UConn’s Paige Bueckers.

In the evolving landscape of sports media, ‘On the Rise‘ exemplifies how storytelling amplifies voices like Watkins’, fostering a more inclusive future for women’s athletics. As she steps back onto the court, the world watches—not just for the points, but for the unbreakable spirit driving her forward.