CT: Did you know Shams (Charania) was going to tweet out that Devin was the cover athlete early?
R2K: So, I’ll tell you the truth. He reached out to me, and Shams and I have a great relationship. He said, ‘Hey, I know he’s the cover athlete. What are we gonna do?’ So our amazing PR team came up with a plan to involve (Shams), and what ended up being great was that it coincided with his contract signing.
To be part of that nomenclature of the league, that’s what we’re striving to do. Kendall Jenner and Kris Jenner posted the cover. It’s amazing that 2K is a part of that.
CT: Tell me a little bit about the partnership with the WNBA, with Every Kid Sports, and with Diana Taurasi and Sue Bird.
R2K: So I’ll start with the cover athletes. Obviously, two of the greatest of all time. To get to partner with them, especially in Sue’s final season, I’m really excited we’re representing the league in that way.
And of course, Every Kid Sports, to be able to really actively contribute to the game, and women’s basketball, especially for the youth, is very, very important to us and something we’re so excited about. I’m proud we’re involved.
The women’s game is obviously growing. We’re putting all of our emphasis on that, and growing ourselves. So to have those two represent NBA 2K23 in the year of greatness is just extraordinary.
CT: And let’s round it out, MJ. Tell me about MJ.
R2K: Well, what can you say? He is the greatest of all time. It is the 23rd 2K. I mean, that’s pretty simple. But I think it’s actually bigger than that.
We are stamping our best titles with Jordan years. I think it’s like a statement that this is our third year on next-gen. We feel very confident about this product — it’s going to be the greatest one yet. Why not put the greatest athlete of our time on the cover?
CT: Greatest of all time? What are the features that you’re most excited about in 2K23?
R2K: I really love the Jordan challenges to 2K11 and for those to come back and then us to add a couple, I think 2K is a device to educate about basketball.
I think Mark Cuban said a few years ago that 2K was such a tool to inform young people about the tradition of the game. I’ve talked to so many NBA players and legends that have said it really allows their grandkids or son or nephew to know who I played with, to be educated about those teams. I think that’s something that 2K as a platform for discovery is about. Whether it’s cool clothes, fashion or basketball education, 2K’s got it all.
CT: Tremendous. I’ve been asking everyone this, but what two teams will you play with first?
R2K: It’s still kind of early with free agency stuff. Kevin Durant’s my favorite player, so let’s see where he ends up.
I have always traditionally played a lot of MyCareer, I think a lot of people would say the same thing.
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