NBA 2K26 will introduce college-themed content this Friday, featuring playable versions of more than 40 active men's and women's basketball players from 16 major programs. This marks the first time active collegiate athletes will appear in a basketball video game since College Hoops 2K8 in 2007.
The schools included are Arizona, Baylor, Duke, Florida, Houston, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisville, Michigan, Michigan State, North Carolina, Ohio State, Purdue, Texas, UCLA, and UConn. Season 5 will add MyTeam cards and wearable college jerseys for The City mode.
Stars like Duke's Cameron Boozer and UCLA's Lauren Betts are featured. Players will be obtainable via a "College Celebration Box" containing free agent option packs. Alumni cards of NBA/WNBA stars from their college years, like Kevin Durant, will also be available.
This move follows the success of EA Sports College Football 25 and signals 2K's broader ambitions in college basketball gaming, with a standalone title planned for early 2027.