Michigan State Basketball Stars Introduced to NBA 2K
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After the landmark O'Bannon v. NCAA decision regarding the use of player likenesses in video games, college football and basketball titles disappeared from the market. For years, fans wondered if they would ever return.
That possibility became more realistic in 2021 when Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) rights were introduced into college athletics. With athletes now able to profit from their likeness, optimism surged that video game developers could once again produce college sports titles featuring real players.
Electronic Arts (EA) answered that call on the football side, releasing two new college football games featuring real players and coaches. Now, many fans believe college basketball could be next.
One company positioned to lead that return is Take-Two Interactive, the parent company of 2K Sports and publisher of the long-running NBA 2K franchise, which has been a staple in sports gaming since 1999.
Hints of a college basketball revival date back to 2020, when NBA 2K’s MyTeam mode introduced cards featuring players known for their college careers, including LaMelo Ball, Cole Anthony, and Anthony Edwards. For many gamers, it signaled that a return to college basketball gaming might eventually follow.
Fast forward to today, and NBA 2K26 is taking another significant step. Season 5 will introduce college-themed MyTeam content featuring players from 16 different schools. In total, more than 40 active college athletes will be included in the update.
According to On3, Season 5 will feature playable MyTeam cards and wearable jerseys in The City mode with 16 schools being represented including Michigan State.
Michigan State’s Representatives
Michigan State is among the featured programs in Season 5. Jeremy Fears Jr. and Grace VanSlooten will represent the Spartans.
Fears has emerged as one of the top point guards in college basketball this season. He is averaging a team-high 15 points per game while also leading both his team and the nation in assists at 9.3 per game. In his most recent outing against UCLA Bruins, Fears recorded 16 points and 10 assists while shooting 4-of-8 from three-point range.
VanSlooten has been equally impactful for Michigan State’s women’s program. She leads her team in scoring at 15 points per game and has elevated her defensive presence, averaging nearly two steals per contest. While her scoring efficiency has dipped slightly compared to previous seasons, her all-around contributions have helped anchor the Spartans on both ends of the floor.
Both players have played key roles in guiding Michigan State to 20-plus wins this season. The Spartans’ men’s team is currently ranked No. 15 in the AP Poll, while the women’s team sits at No. 18 — further highlighting the program’s national prominence.
For players like Jeremy Fears Jr. and Grace VanSlooten, this represents more than just a digital cameo — it’s a sign of how much the college sports landscape has evolved. And for fans, it may only be a matter of time before college basketball once again takes center stage in the gaming world.
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Luke Joseph is a graduate of Michigan State University with a degree in journalism. Drawing on his extensive knowledge of sports and commitment to storytelling, he serves as a general sports reporter On SI, covering the NFL and college athletics with insight and expertise.