The realm of collegiate basketball is poised for a digital resurgence. It was communicated by 2K Sports this Thursday that they intend to integrate collegiate basketball programs into their NBA video game series. This announcement follows reports that EA Sports has purportedly withdrawn its licensing proposal for a standalone game creation.
The official statement from 2K detailed that their “college basketball experience” will showcase in excess of 100 programs. These programs are scheduled to appear in the game over the subsequent two years, with “a few surprises” planned for commencement in 2026 and “substantial strategies for 2027 and beyond.”
“Indeed, this is accurate,” 2K mentioned in their release. “We are actively developing a collegiate basketball experience that will encompass over 100 programs from across the nation, spanning from dominant teams to unexpected success stories. The essence of competition propels excellence at every echelon, thereby our approach to collegiate basketball guarantees advantages for our partner institutions, collegiate athletes, and our player community. Further positive news – the wait for your preferred colleges to emerge in the game will be brief. Our strategies for 2027 are ambitious, and we anticipate a few unveilings early in 2026.”
Since the revival of EA Sports’ collegiate football series, speculations about the return of basketball have persisted. The actual progression of the game’s creation, however, has remained unclear. EA Sports offered a glimpse into the potential comeback of its college basketball game in June, marking the first time since 2009, with Extra Points indicating a target release date in 2028.
Nonetheless, a report released by Extra Points this past Tuesday disclosed that EA Sports disseminated a memo to licensing administrators of various schools and conferences, conveying that the licensing proposal was being retracted. This decision was attributed to some schools having already accepted 2K’s invitation to participate in their NBA franchise.
“Considering that several schools are opting to accept 2K Sports’ proposal for integration into NBA 2K, the offer to be featured in a college basketball video game will, regrettably, have to be withdrawn,” the memo clarified.
“The entire team at EA SPORTS expresses disappointment that we could not collectively identify a viable path forward. However, we are grateful for your efforts in striving to deliver a standalone college basketball game, incorporating all men’s and women’s Division 1 institutions, student-athletes, conferences, and the NCAA, in the manner preferred by fans. We deeply appreciate your assistance.”
The 2K proposal presented a college gameplay structure, diverging from EA Sports’ concept of a standalone college hoops game, according to Extra Points:
In contrast to EA Sports, the 2K proposition did not encompass the inclusion of every single D-I men’s and women’s basketball program. Instead, a distinct CLC memo characterized the 2K proposal as a non-exclusive license for creating a “5v5 tournament gameplay format integrated into NBA 2K MyTeam Mode through downloadable content (DLC).” 2K would assess the feasibility of a standalone college basketball title, contingent on the financial success of the college basketball DLC.
The final version of NCAA Basketball by EA Sports was launched in November 2009, showcasing then-Oklahoma star Blake Griffin on the cover. The last instance of 2K Sports producing its college basketball game was the year prior. Diminished sales led both entities to discontinue the creation of these games.
