NBA 2K Is Doing Something It’s Never Done Before

by

The NBA 2K series is reaching a new milestone after years of dominance. Following the cancellation of NBA Live in 2023, NBA 2K became the top basketball simulation game, and it continues to improve with each new release. NBA 2K 26, released in late 2025, has been a success, consistently adding fresh content each season. The game maintains a high level of realism through accurate player stats, authentic appearances, and a wide array of team logos, with even more enhancements planned for the future.

On February 18, 2026, 2K announced that Season 5, launching on February 20, will feature brand-new content centered around college basketball. The update includes 16 famous universities and their top players, allowing gamers to represent their schools and play with future NBA stars. According to Zak Armitage, a senior executive at 2K Sports, the company is creating a complete basketball experience, bringing together the NBA, WNBA, and college leagues. While the full college basketball experience won’t arrive until early 2027, Season 5 offers players a sneak peek.

The NCAA Is Officially Coming to NBA 2K

This is a significant change, especially considering the long-standing legal issues around using college athletes’ names and images in video games. Previously, games could feature players without paying them. However, a Supreme Court ruling in July 2021 – NCAA v. Alston – gave players the right to earn money from their own likeness. Some college basketball video game series had already stopped production due to lawsuits, and the Supreme Court’s decision further complicated things, as paying players would reduce profits. Thankfully, this new development means many talented college athletes will now have a way to earn income through the popular NBA 2K26 game. This is the first time in 16 years that current college basketball players will be included in a major, high-quality game.

Okay, so ignoring all the official terms, Season 5 is looking amazing! They’ve added a ton of really popular players, and what’s really cool is they’re bringing in a bunch of college-themed cards – both old favorites and new stars. We’re talking UCLA, Duke, Arizona, Kansas, Texas, Michigan, Michigan State, Louisville, Purdue, Kentucky, Florida, UNC, Baylor, Houston, Ohio State, and UConn – seriously, some incredible talent from all those schools! And to get us started with MyTeam this season, they’re giving us a “College Celebration Box” with free packs, so we can jump right in and start collecting the best players.

Season 5 of NBA 2K26 is now available, bringing fresh content to the game! It’s a great way to experience college basketball within the most realistic NBA simulation yet, and it’s just a preview of even more college sports content coming in the 2027 release. You can play NBA 2K26 and enjoy the new Season on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Switch 2, and Steam.

Are you thrilled to see college athletes featured in NBA 2K? Share your thoughts in the comments and join the discussion on the ComicBook Forum!

https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/nba-2k26-rng-shooting-change/embed/#

Read More

2026-02-21 00:42