(This article was published on September 11, and the author is Robby Kalland, a reporter of CBS. The content of the article does not represent the translator's views.)
With the release of the latest version of the NBA2K series game "NBA 2K26", millions of basketball fans will step onto the virtual court to realize their dream of becoming an NBA or WNBA star. Many real NBA and WNBA players will also join in because this generation of stars grew up with this game.
Before the game was released on September 5, CBS Sports interviewed three young stars - Teres Halliburton, Teres Maxi and Page Bux, to explore how NBA2K has impacted their growth as point guards and their understanding of basketball, and how they can continue to use the game to study opponents (or even future teammates).
The three All-Star players are all in their 20s, which means 2K is actually part of their basketball career. Every player mentioned that seeing themselves in the game for the first time (and not just the characters created) was an early highlight in their career.
"It's a little unreal. It's a blessing, thank God," Maxi said. "I grew up playing 2K and played with players like Iverson, and Paul George is also me on PlayStation One of the earliest players to use on 4. And now he is my teammate, and I also appear in the game and shoot 2K ads. It's really amazing. "
"I wake up every day and feel like I'm fulfilling my childhood dream," Page said of her rookie season. "I used to play 2K games with my siblings. I'm still playing. Last week my brother came to my house to play 2K and he was able to play games with my character, which was a dream come true. It's really hard to express what it means to me, because I've been a basketball fan since I was a kid. And now it's great to grow to this stage. I feel very lucky. "
For Page, it's especially important to see myself and other WNBA players in video games, because it's very new. WNBA first appeared in 2K games in 2019 and gradually increased its presence in subsequent versions, and Page knew the meaning of this.
"It's very important. I think representation is important. I was a huge fan of the Minnesota Bobcats as a kid and dreamed of getting to that level, having those female players and leagues to look up to, which means a lot to me," the Minnesota player said.
"I know that many of the kids nowadays are playing video games. I grew up playing 2K, and I know the same is true for the next generation. Therefore, being able to see such representation on these platforms has an important driving force for the development of women's sports. To us, being able to appear on these platforms is of great significance to the sport and the next generation."
Nowadays, they play in the NBA and WNBA, playing video games is not just a way to relax, but also provides opportunities for more psychological training without entering the gym. Every player mentioned what he learned from the game, whether it was reading games, identifying player habits, or understanding the authenticity of "teammate ratings" in the game.
"As a basketball player, you always learn through games. Whether you are watching games, actually playing basketball, or in video games, you are always learning," Page explained. "So when I was a kid, I improved my understanding and vision of the game by watching and playing 2K, and allowed me to think two steps ahead. I think it really helped. And now, understanding the habits, characteristics and aspects of the players, there is this information in 2K. Being able to know and see this, now I compete with them on the same game, I believe that this will help in the long run."
Through 2K games, players can preview the lineup effects of new teammates after they join. LeBron James has said that he used 2K to simulate different lineup combinations of the Lakers. Maxi and Halliburton did the same.
"A few years ago when our team traded James Harden," Maxi recalled, "I was wondering what would it look like if I played with Harden, Embiid, Tobias Harris? It was really a very strong lineup."
Halliburton went further, not only focusing on the players the team actually introduced, but also playing the role of the Pacers general manager, trying various trades to see the impact on the team. He calls himself a "specially talented" general manager.
"I did," Halliburton said. "For example, before a player officially joins the team, I'll look at his characteristics and strengths in the game and see how he works with me. I'll also play GM and career modes, simulate the whole season, and see what 2K thinks we'll achieve if a player joins our team. It's fun. I try to learn as much as possible with this game, and also enjoy it."
For Halliburton, due to an Achilles tendon injury that could have left him missing the entire 2025-26 season, he plans to use 2K to keep his focus on basketball.
"I think any way to get in touch with basketball is helpful. Obviously, since I can't play this season, I've been telling my friends that I've been a loyal player in 2K. Over the past few years, due to my much time in the gym and other things, I haven't played games as often as before. But I've told them that 2026 will be my own year and I'm going to go back to our circle of friends and get to the best of it."
Although playing 2K can help their day jobs and provide a simulation experience, sometimes they just want to relax and treat it as a normal game. Halliburton and Page will both create their own player roles, but will not completely copy themselves to create modeling. Page said she would set herself 6-foot-5, while Halliburton loved to experience the feeling of being an all-around, tall and athletic player who can defend all positions.
, by contrast, Maxi took a simpler approach: trying to get higher scores with himself in the game.
"I played with my cousin a few weeks ago, and I tried to score as many points as I could with myself. In the end I scored 73 points," Maxi said with a smile, "That's really fun."
Original text: Robby Kalland
Translated by JayChan
source:7m cn free