NBA 2K16 News Post

College Basketball in NBA 2K16? Here's What We Know...

05:19 PM - July 16, 2015 by RaychelSnr

There's a lot of speculation around Operation Sports right now about what 2K Sports could be up to with the leaked achievements list, which included mentions of college themed activities for MyPlayer. Also, some of the cover athletes are pictured in their college uniforms (Curry and Harden are, while Davis and Jordan are not) on the official game covers.

The two achievements in question involve both picking a college and leaving early for the NBA Draft -- which tends to indicate that there will be something in between both events to allow you to progress from one to the other.

On that same token, many OSers confirmed, (more specifically King_B_Mack and Phreezy P - See video here) that some Universities were showing up on the CLC website as having a video game's license bought by 2K. As of right now that listing is no longer listed on the CLC website, which means they were taken down at some point in the last day.

In total, there were 10 universities (scratch that, make it 11) listed with 2K Sports as a licensee on the CLC website before they were removed (once again, thanks to King_B_Mack for the tip). Those schools included: Arizona State, Arizona, UConn, Georgetown, Louisville, Michigan, Texas, UCLA, Villanova, Wisconsin and Kansas.

Also it should be noted that some schools do not license through the CLC, so the aforementioned list is likely not a complete rundown of schools that would be licensed by 2K at this time.

What this could mean is pretty simple: If 2K has indeed licensed with schools -- they plan on using their brands (logos, uniforms, etc.) in the game at least on some level. Now what level of involvement there will be or not is entirely up in the air.

However, it is seriously doubtful any attempt at a 'realistic' depiction of NCAA basketball with likenesses, etc. is coming given ongoing litigation. Getting schools to sign off on their logos and such being used would probably require that any usage is as far away as possible from having likenesses of current athletes in the game. It's also worth mentioning that there is no official NCAA licensing listed at this time -- and any official tournament branding wouldn't be possible without that.

So what do you think the colleges and universities in NBA 2K16 mean? Sound off in the comments!

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Member Comments

# 41 Wildcats302 @ 07/18/15 04:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by King_B_Mack


	In what world is 250,000 units sold "gaining" on 5 million+?

Yeah, I'm not really sure I see the validity in the other guy's statement. 1/20 as many copies' sold is not a threat to the other.

# 42 MrWrestling3 @ 07/18/15 08:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shady Mike


	But I will be honest a lot of you guys are looking WAY too deep into this, setting yourselves up for disappointment IMO...and Live is "gaining on" 2K? News to me...

Yep,considering their fascination with story lines in My Career and what little we know about the mode, it's probably more likely your guy is recruited to a college then does something stupid(and completely beyond your control) then loses his amateur eligibility,so he declares for the NBA.

# 43 VicVega93 @ 07/18/15 02:54 PM

If they could also implement the colleges in MyLeague or MyGM (I'm not a big fan of MyCarreer...), that could be awesome... By example we could start our coach carreer in a university, and then get a job offer in NBA or in Euroleague...

I would like to see all the leagues linked in the game (NBA, College, Europe... D-League...?), to get something more "global".

# 44 Junior Moe @ 07/18/15 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VicVega93


	If they could also implement the colleges in MyLeague or MyGM (I'm not a big fan of MyCarreer...), that could be awesome... By example we could start our coach carreer in a university, and then get a job offer in NBA or in Euroleague... I would like to see all the leagues linked in the game (NBA, College, Europe... D-League...?), to get something more "global".

This is actually my hope for MyLeague this year. We've had the NBDL before, so I'm totally cool with that implementation again.

They could do the same with the Euroleague. Difference being that those guys would have contract they have to honor and ambitions of their own like NBA players. In addition to the NBA player ambitions (like loyalty), maybe they could add an "NBA interest" which gives us an indicator of whether they prefer Europe or not. Some good players like Sergio Lull just like Europe. Imagine drafting a Euro high but never seeing him come over. However, you still hold his rights should he ever make the move. Or drafting a guy who wants to play in the NBA but he's in year 1 of a 3 year deal with Real Madrid so you know you won't see him for a few years. That kind of stuff is really cool to me.

It appears 2K has licensed about a dozen schools or so. That's not enough to do anything robust. But what would be cool is if they simulated the college season and gave us updates on how prospects were doing. Also have it like College Hoops where we could follow high schoolers through their high school careers except it's college freshmen instead of high school. We could track their stats over their career. That way we get to know the players over a few years. Imagine seeing Jr. whose averaged 4 ppg over his first two years explode to 25ppg his Jr season at UCLA. Now there's intrigue. Or imagine the current draft being weak but knowing next years is loaded; do you come up off this years pick and load up for next? There's just so much there.

# 45 ven0m43 @ 07/18/15 09:20 PM

Back in the day when we still had CH2k, I'd always gets NBA 2k so I could import the draft classes to see how many former players I could turn into NBA stars. I've always wanted to have the two games feel more linked together.

As much as I'd like to have a full College Hoops and NBA game combined into one giant game, I don't see it happening. I feel that publishers would rather have two games to sell rather than one, to increase the profits. I also dont see the consumers wanting to pay a higher prices for that type of game as some only want nba and other just college.

# 46 Junior Moe @ 07/19/15 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ven0m43


	Back in the day when we still had CH2k, I'd always gets NBA 2k so I could import the draft classes to see how many former players I could turn into NBA stars. I've always wanted to have the two games feel more linked together. As much as I'd like to have a full College Hoops and NBA game combined into one giant game, I don't see it happening. I feel that publishers would rather have two games to sell rather than one, to increase the profits. I also dont see the consumers wanting to pay a higher prices for that type of game as some only want nba and other just college.

Yeah. I still have CH2k8 and NBA2k8. It's fun to see players like Hibbert dominate in college and then come into the NBA and do very. Or how (in mine) Derrick Rose is a nondescript late first rounder while Micheal Beasley has been an allstar every year. It's cool and fun. Not to mention how deep and fun College Hoops is as a game. But the truth is college ball is a niche sport. I don't think it can survive on a yearly release. The numbers just aren't there to justify it. Maybe every few years if it includes MyCareer and a MyTeam (with pro players during their college days) mode where it can generate some revenue. I do think that there is enough there though to justify having a separate title. CH2k8's Legacy mode is still the deepest in sports, IMO. But it needs to be marketed for one, and having a tie in to NBA 2K (draft import, MyCareer, coaches maybe) could help seeing how many units the NBA game is selling. 2K is without a doubt the basketball game king and if anyone could make the college ball concept work it's them. They have an amazing team.

# 47 Junior Moe @ 07/20/15 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BizDevConglomerate


	Live is gaining on 2k. 2k is locked in. Chill, unless your a dev and out in time on 2k. It's about us and what pleases us. 2k is good for the most part. But not overall. There are gaps. Keep it real. Live has a long way to go. But if the game play is fluid, and the franchise is deep, and they allow to customize rosters, 2k will be in a lot of mess.

Well, you guys can have Live and their "if's". I wish you all the best. I'm rocking with 2K and the clearly better and deeper NBA experience.

# 48 Pokes404 @ 07/20/15 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Junior Moe


	Yeah. I still have CH2k8 and NBA2k8. It's fun to see players like Hibbert dominate in college and then come into the NBA and do very. Or how (in mine) Derrick Rose is a nondescript late first rounder while Micheal Beasley has been an allstar every year. It's cool and fun. Not to mention how deep and fun College Hoops is as a game. But the truth is college ball is a niche sport. I don't think it can survive on a yearly release. The numbers just aren't there to justify it. Maybe every few years if it includes MyCareer and a MyTeam (with pro players during their college days) mode where it can generate some revenue. I do think that there is enough there though to justify having a separate title. CH2k8's Legacy mode is still the deepest in sports, IMO. But it needs to be marketed for one, and having a tie in to NBA 2K (draft import, MyCareer, coaches maybe) could help seeing how many units the NBA game is selling. 2K is without a doubt the basketball game king and if anyone could make the college ball concept work it's them. They have an amazing team.

If college games ever make a return, it will most likely be with entirely generic rosters due to the current threat of litigation. So, yearly roster updates won't have to be taken into account because they're just going to be generic updates anyways. That makes me wonder if a FIFA World Cup model might work for College Hoops and release one every 4 years. Now, obviously, FIFA World Cup comes out every 4 years because it's riding the excitement and anticipation of the upcoming World Cup ... College Hoops wouldn't have a highly anticipated event like that to boost interest. So maybe you put it on a 2 year cycle. But in any case, make it a big event when a new College Hoops game comes out. Make the game something that college fans will be looking forward to, but also make it a rare enough event that its novelty will draw in some NBA fans who might not care otherwise.

You're not dumping tons of resources into making a yearly release. You're basically just taking the NBA engine and slapping a college coat of paint over the top every 2-4 years (which is probably much more involved than I'm making it sound). As much as I love college basketball, it really is a niche sport with the majority of people really only caring about the tournament. If it ever returns as its own game, a 2-4 year cycle could help limit development costs and make it more exciting when a new game does come out. Just make sure that any NBA 2K's that come out on off-years are still compatible with the most recent College Hoops so you always have that yearly tie in with MyCareer/MyLeague mode.

I'll take anything I can get college basketball related at the moment though. I'm eager to see what 2K does with college basketball implementation this year. I'm hoping for a situation where your team has made it to the "Sensational 16" at the "National College Basketball Tournament" and your performance dictates what kind of draft stock you have if you decide to turn pro that year.

# 49 Junior Moe @ 07/20/15 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pokes404


	If college games ever make a return, it will most likely be with entirely generic rosters due to the current threat of litigation. So, yearly roster updates won't have to be taken into account because they're just going to be generic updates anyways. That makes me wonder if a FIFA World Cup model might work for College Hoops and release one every 4 years. Now, obviously, FIFA World Cup comes out every 4 years because it's riding the excitement and anticipation of the upcoming World Cup ... College Hoops wouldn't have a highly anticipated event like that to boost interest. So maybe you put it on a 2 year cycle. But in any case, make it a big event when a new College Hoops game comes out. Make the game something that college fans will be looking forward to, but also make it a rare enough event that its novelty will draw in some NBA fans who might not care otherwise. You're not dumping tons of resources into making a yearly release. You're basically just taking the NBA engine and slapping a college coat of paint over the top every 2-4 years (which is probably much more involved than I'm making it sound). As much as I love college basketball, it really is a niche sport with the majority of people really only caring about the tournament. If it ever returns as its own game, a 2-4 year cycle could help limit development costs and make it more exciting when a new game does come out. Just make sure that any NBA 2K's that come out on off-years are still compatible with the most recent College Hoops so you always have that yearly tie in with MyCareer/MyLeague mode. I'll take anything I can get college basketball related at the moment though. I'm eager to see what 2K does with college basketball implementation this year. I'm hoping for a situation where your team has made it to the "Sensational 16" at the "National College Basketball Tournament" and your performance dictates what kind of draft stock you have if you decide to turn pro that year.

These are my sentiments exactly! We have to square the reality of what/where college basketball ranks in America vs how profitable such a video-game venture would be. This isn't college football. But like you said, I think that model could work on both fronts. College Hoops is a game you need a few years to delve into, anyway. Then it being compatible with whatever versions on NBA 2K released just keeps it relevant. Either way, I'm absolutely stoked about anything college. For that reason I am looking forward to NBA2K16's MyCareer mode, even though I generally stay away from it. Cant wait to see what they do with it.

# 50 Speedy @ 08/07/15 12:26 AM

I will be absolutely amazed if I ever see another college video game published.

# 51 TheVinylHippo @ 08/07/15 01:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Speedy


	I will be absolutely amazed if I ever see another college video game published.

They'll come back. Eventually. I hope.

I can't wait for the day -- if it ever comes -- when College Hoops 2K??/NBA 2K?? can link up MyCareer modes, assuming they'd do a MyCareer mode for a College Hoops game. That would be awesome.

# 52 lakers24 @ 08/07/15 02:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheVinylHippo


	They'll come back. Eventually. I hope. I can't wait for the day -- if it ever comes -- when College Hoops 2K??/NBA 2K?? can link up MyCareer modes, assuming they'd do a MyCareer mode for a College Hoops game. That would be awesome.

Yeah, it'd be sick especially since AAU circuit and the one and done has essentially taken over college bball now. Hype surrounding freshmen is unreal now unlike how it was even 7-8 years ago when 2k8 came out. Durant and Oden were the first year I can really remember them starting to run college.

Imagine starting your Mycareer in the summer between your junior and senior season of HS, then after that you choose which college you'll attend and it'll skip to your senior year playoffs and after you'd start college. They could have games where you know scouts are there and it can improve or hurt your stock, etc.

# 53 doublek @ 08/07/15 04:01 AM

I mean it is an even more scripted story this time around with Spike Lee. My guess would be for you to pick a university to play for and then have generic players whose going to have characteristics that affects your MyPlayer. For example, your center might be the leader of the team who serves as your mentor and then insert a rival player who plays ahead of your position... etc

# 54 rjsuperfly66 @ 08/08/15 03:20 PM

I hate to say it, but having this in the game is the only way I will be purchasing this year. As a former college hoops 2k fanatic, it's been a lonely 8 years. I don't expect much, but if you gave me the ability to stay in college for 4 years, even if that only meant I got to play 12 NCAA games before going pro, I'd do it, and love every second of it if the presentation was nailed properly. I loved how in NCAA Football, they had you play a full HS season to build up your scholarship offers, and I think they could tie a lot of that into career mode, HS for scholarship offers, college to build stock, pros to earn money. Money needs to mean something though, cars and homes, parties and vacations, etc. It needs to be more RPG, and less linear and forced. It's asking a whole heck of a lot, but as a Celtics fan who refuses to buy a 2k game until they use most of their 125 1st round draft picks because frankly, the NBA bores me to tears, this is their way of keeping me in. Unfortunately, I'm sure I'm a minority but man, the possibility is there and I'm praying it's delivered.

# 55 Got eeem @ 08/09/15 10:54 AM

Lots of info about modes but what I'm not seeing is details about improving critical areas of GAME PLAY such as:

1. Passing
2. Defense
3. Post Play
4. Animations
5. Better Pick N Roll
6. Online Play

Just a little concerned that all the additions are story line and visual tweaks or non gameplay related additions. I love the game despite all the problems but legacy issues have had me putting "14 & "15 down after a month or two.

# 56 Crystar500 @ 08/09/15 11:25 AM

No likenesses... Logos and brands only... Top colleges...

MyLeague?

Think how cool that would be. And how efficient scouting would be if there was a college season alongside the regular NBA season. You could see guys play before you draft them! You could be assured you were drafting someone you want. And the colleges you don't watch could make you miss out on talent. I'd love that. International players will be just as much of a mystery as real life as well. They already post the stats and scouting on social media in MyLeague... I'd say, "Why not?"

Of course, the missing spots that players in the draft class are not in, in terms of the college roster, can just be filled in with "John Davis" guys.

# 57 nicksabenz @ 08/10/15 12:55 AM

I know it's highly unlikely, but consider this... every year they have all the beginning of the season tournaments in college basketball like the Maui Invitational. There already is the 2k Classic played in MSG every year. I do believe Texas won last year. What if, since 2k is already sponsoring the tournament and have MSG in the game, they used the 2k classic in the game as your college experience to bust on the scene? There would only be 2 games if it's like real life. Just a thought, and would be glad to get to play with a college team at MSG.

# 58 Dayron1234 @ 08/10/15 01:39 AM

I have a question for everyone who would like to take a guess. If we're starting in high school then going on to college and then go to the NBA, will we start from let's say 2012 for high school, go to college for 2 years(2013-2014) then enter the NBA in this current year ?

Or is 2k going to ignore the timeline and just have us go through our high school and college days without timing moving, thus us just being in the year 2015 when we're done with everything?

Or are we going to start from high school in this current year(2015) and be a year or 4 head of this year ? I doubt this option though.

# 59 Trackball @ 08/10/15 01:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dayron1234


	I have a question for everyone who would like to take a guess. If we're starting in high school then going on to college and then go to the NBA, will we start from let's say 2012 for high school, go to college for 2 years(2013-2014) then enter the NBA in this current year ? Or is 2k going to ignore the timeline and just have us go through our high school and college days without timing moving, thus us just being in the year 2015 when we're done with everything? Or are we going to start from high school in this current year(2015) and be a year or 4 head of this year ? I doubt this option though.

As far as MyCareer goes, I'm certain they're going a similar route to what MLB The Show did: the high school and college stuff takes place in an ambiguous year, with the 2015-16 season being your rookie year.

# 60 Dayron1234 @ 08/10/15 01:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trackball


	As far as MyCareer goes, I'm certain they're going a similar route to what MLB The Show did: the high school and college stuff takes place in an ambiguous year, with the 2015-16 season being your rookie year.

Thanks for the quick reply!

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