Latest NBA 2K video game to feature active college players for first time in 16 years

February 18, 2026 - 18:38

For the first time in over a decade and a half, active NCAA basketball players will be featured in the NBA 2K video game series. The upcoming NBA 2K26 will include real student-athletes, marking a monumental shift for the iconic sports franchise.

The initial announcement confirms sixteen players will be part of the game’s popular MyTeam and MyCareer modes. This group is just the first wave of what is expected to be a much larger roster of collegiate talent available at launch. The inclusion ends a long hiatus, as college players have not appeared in the series since 2009 due to previous licensing restrictions.

This landmark change reflects the evolving landscape of college athletics, where athletes can now profit from their name, image, and likeness (NIL). Their digital avatars will allow fans to play with tomorrow’s NBA prospects before they ever reach the professional draft. The move is anticipated to add a significant new layer of depth and authenticity to the game’s experience, bridging the gap between the collegiate and professional levels of the sport within the virtual world. Gamers can now build their ultimate teams and stories around the brightest stars currently lighting up the college basketball scene.