By now, everyone’s heard the news about EA Sports reviving its College Basketball video game series. We’re not sure exactly when it’ll come out (we’re likely some years away), but EA’s first venture into college basketball in 16 years is an extremely exciting premise. And it’s got the sports gaming community asking several questions about the ripple effect it can have across the industry.
For one, we spoke earlier about how the revived College Basketball series could directly affect the NBA 2K series, the only AAA pro basketball game on the market right now. Because, while they are different in terms of one focusing on collegiate athletics and the other focusing on professional basketball, there aren’t many choices gamers have when it comes to basketball games, especially ones with big budgets. And who knows — maybe the probable success of College Basketball results in EA getting back to the long-defunct NBA Live series.
But there’s a whole angle to this that maybe some didn’t even consider: What if 2K responds with a college game of their own?
Earlier today, some reports surfaced of 2K potentially getting back into the college basketball market for the first time since 2007. But what would that actually look like?
2K Teases Fans With A Tweet
Some hours after EA announced the revival of the College Basketball series, a user on X with the handle @Soughy_ tweeted that 2K should be getting back into the college basketball market as well. Funny enough, the official X account for NBA 2K responded with “The campus has been quiet for too long.”
The campus has been quiet for too long
— NBA 2K (@NBA2K) June 30, 2025https://t.co/AuqoX5u5Qr
Instead of excitement, many of the replies poked fun at 2K’s current business practices, particularly the NBA 2K series’ habit of milking its players for everything their worth and requiring them to use VC (the virtual in-game currency) to do pretty much anything. But, jokes aside, the prospect of 2K returning to the college basketball space is enticing.
The College Hoops series was great and provided some of the best games in the 2000s. And when it finally ceased to exist after the release of 2K8, it left a void. And truth be told, if College Hoops were coming back, I’d be first in line to buy it. It’s been far too long since I took Gonzaga to the Final Four in three consecutive years and turned them into a powerhouse basketball program.
However, in the aftermath of NBA 2K‘s tweet, some more details have arisen about the prospect of 2K developing a standalone college basketball game. And they’re not good.
2K Will Have To Pursue Alternative Routes When It Comes To College Basketball
Since EA’s announcement, The Athletic’s Chris Vannini has seemingly had the inside scoop on all of the details surrounding College Basketball. Unfortunately, not all of these developments are favorable towards 2K’s supposed foray back into the sport.
Following up on the company’s tweet, Vannini reached out to 2K Sports, which provided the following statement:
2K is the undisputed home of basketball gaming. We have a strong history with college hoops and are exploring exciting new ways to bring athletes and schools to life. Class is in session.
Looks pretty good, right? But there’s a telling phrase in that statement: “Exciting new ways.”
Obviously, companies aren’t always at liberty to say that they’re developing something. But if a company as big as 2K was developing a college basketball game and had just seen its foremost competitor announce its own game, it’s likely they’d try to get ahead of it and spill the beans in an attempt to, ya know, compete.
But then Vannini dropped the smoking gun: Should EA actually get its College Basketball series out the door, it will have an exclusive license with the NCAA to produce simulation-style college basketball games.
This all but eliminates the possibility for 2K to produce its own standalone college basketball video game. And in typical EA fashion, with the exclusive licensing agreement. What this means is that if 2K is serious about getting back into college basketball, its options are limited to having a college section in a MyCareer mode or a mobile game.
So, if you were expecting a College Hoops revival, I’m sorry to tell you this, but it ain’t happening.
