Paolo Banchero set to make NIL history. NBA 2K22 will feature Duke basketball star
Paolo Banchero is at the forefront of an important moment for college athletes.
The Duke freshman star will be featured in NBA 2K22’s next multiplayer season, according to an announcement from 2K Sports. It’ll mark the first time an active college athlete has appeared in a sports video game under their own name with their permission, and it’ll also mark the first time any college athlete has been in a commercial video game since 2013.
Banchero signed the historic name, image and likeness (NIL) deal with 2K Sports in September.
This is the latest breakthrough in NIL legislation, which was officially adopted by the NCAA on an interim basis in June 2021. It particularly touches a nerve for sports fans who used to play college sports video games a decade ago — before EA Sports canceled its popular NCAA Football and NCAA Basketball games because it was sued for using the name, image and likeness of college athletes without authorization from those athletes.
It’s fitting that Banchero, who has signed other NIL deals, is the one breaking this barrier: The 6-foot-10, 250-pound forward is projected to be a lottery pick in the 2022 NBA Draft.
How will Banchero’s name, image and likeness be used? He will be featured in the video game’s “Season 5: Power Within” — a game mode where he will star alongside Rui Hachimura and Kevin Durant on an “anime-style” journey.
“Over the course of Season 5: Power Within, ascend and become a hero on and off the court by completing quests and challenges around the City and Cancha Del Mar,” 2K Sports said in a statement. “As in previous seasons, you’ll embark on a six-week journey, climbing each level in hopes of reaching the peak of Level 40. Along the way, you’ll earn a plethora of goodies, like Animation Packs, Seasonal apparel, Badge Points, and a futuristic hoverboard at Level 30.”
The new game mode involving Banchero will be released on Friday.
This story was originally published February 24, 2022 at 6:17 PM with the headline "Paolo Banchero set to make NIL history. NBA 2K22 will feature Duke basketball star."
.jpeg)