UNC and Duke will be among the college basketball programs featured in a 2K video game.
According to a statement from 2K Games sent to the USA TODAY Network, “2K is working on a college basketball experience that will feature some of the best collegiate programs” in the near future.
“For over a quarter century, we have delivered the most authentic basketball simulation, rooted in realism and competition. We can’t wait to bring this same passion and dedication to the college court,” a 2K representative said in an emailed statement from the video game company.
“Now that class is in session, students will see the 2K scan truck on campuses such as UCLA, UNC, and Duke, as we begin to scan select players this Fall. Basketball fans won’t have to wait long to start seeing some of their favorite colleges show up in game. We’ve got big plans for 2027 and beyond.”
On Sept. 4, 2K Games announced its plans to resume making college basketball video games. According to previous reporting by Matt Brown of Extra Points, 2K’s initial plan was for colleges to be included in NBA 2K.
According to the official social media accounts of UNC and Duke, the 2K truck has already made pit stops in Durham and Chapel Hill to scan the Tar Heels and Blue Devils.
According to Duke basketball’s official X account, the 2K truck was in Durham on Oct. 27 to scan the Blue Devils in preparation for the program’s appearance in the video game. Head coach Jon Scheyer and several players, including freshman Nik Khamenia and junior Caleb Foster, are featured in the 36-second video. Both players are wearing a 2K t-shirt.
“It’s a blessing, it’s exciting. A lot of cameras, but super fun. Honored and blessed to be a part of this game. I’ve been playing 2K since I was like six years old,” Khamenia says in the video.
Foster added: “This is an awesome experience. Obviously, me and my teammates definitely bond over this. We played it growing up and it’s definitely a dream come true to be in the game now.”
UNC basketball’s official X account sent out a post on Oct. 30 that featured photos of freshman Caleb WIlson and international prospect Luka Bogavac inside the 2K truck surrounded by cameras. Both players are wearing 2K t-shirts.
“Of course they go to Duke first,” Wilson said with a smile and chuckle on Oct. 29 after the Tar Heels’ exhibition game vs. Winston-Salem State.
“That’s why we gotta beat ‘em.”
Adding “it’ll be fun” to be featured in 2K, Wilson went on to highlight his main focus at UNC.
“I’m here to win games. I don’t care about being in 2K; that’s never been a thought for me,” he said. “I didn’t come here to win 2K or play 2K, I came here to win a national championship. I think it would something cool as like an add-on, but it’s not what I really want to do.”
Known for the NBA 2K series, 2K last made a college basketball video game in 2007 with College Hoops 2K8, which featured Ohio State’s Greg Oden on the cover.
Former Duke players Jay Williams (2K3) and JJ Redick (2K7) are among the other cover athletes of the 2K college basketball series, with former UNC coach Roy Williams and UNC player Marvin Williams sharing cover honors on 2K6.
Rodd Baxley covers North Carolina Tar Heels athletics for The Fayetteville Observer as part of the USA TODAY Network. Follow his ACC coverage on X/Twitter or Bluesky: @RoddBaxley. Got questions regarding UNC? Send them to rbaxley@gannett.com.