Think about if you’ll a participant that has no weaknesses on a digital basketball flooring. You’re most likely conjuring ideas of a participant with excessive dimension and switch-ability on protection, excessive athleticism for roaring dunks, a deal with to create their very own seems and a easy jumper to tie all of it collectively. That’s about what followers can count on from San Antonio Spurs rookie Victor Wembanyama after they play NBA 2K24 this fall.
Final week it was introduced that Wembanyama has the gaming franchise’s highest ranking for a rookie since Zion Williamson in 2019. At an 84 total, Wemby is three total factors greater than the following highest rated rookie within the recreation’s historical past. He’s six total factors greater than LeBron James was as a rookie when he entered the sport in NBA 2K4.
We wished to study extra about how the builders got here to their selections to make Victor the very best rated rookie, and the way they’ll stability a participant along with his skillset as to not “break” the sport. So PtR sat down with NBA 2K’s Digital Advertising and marketing Director, Ronnie 2K to study extra. The next is a Q&A with Ronnie that has been edited for readability.
Wembanyama is the very best rated rookie within the recreation’s historical past. What went into that call? Was it robust to determine he was the primary?
Since we modified our ranking system and launched legends again in 2K11, that’s when our scores modified. Again in 2K1, Kenyon Martin was an 86 which was an anomaly earlier than that change. Within the trendy period, Victor has the very best ranking and it’s not even actually shut. LeBron was a 78, Zion was an 81, John Wall was an 81. There are a whole lot of guys which have nudged into the 80s, however to make it nearly into the mid-80s is big.
It’s an actual testomony to what we imagine with Victor. He’s a as soon as in a technology prospect, and we’re actually enthusiastic about what his skillset and dimension imply to what he’ll output in his first season. An 84 simply appeared like the proper place for him to be. It’s six factors greater than anybody else in his personal rookie class. There was a whole lot of dialogue across the second and third participant. San Antonio Spurs followers ought to be actually enthusiastic about it with 2K’s vouch as nicely.
They’re actually excited! I used to be watching an interview between you and Wealthy Eisen final yr the place you expressed considerations of him “breaking the sport.” How did the builders balanced him with a skillset that’s so completely suited to the sport?
He’s the last word online game participant. You couldn’t even construct him (in MyPlayer) up till this level. He’s a 7-4 man who has the dribble packages that he does. It’s going to be fascinating. I feel that this yr it should possibly be okay, as a result of we’re all ready to see how unbelievable he’s going to be at that dimension.
I do imagine he could possibly be a kind of guys that we do must reassess and take into consideration guys that come into the league at that dimension which can be this expert. I imply it’s an fascinating problem for us as I discussed final yr. That second summer season league efficiency was actually eye-opening. It is going to be fascinating to see how he can study an evolve. He’s obtained an incredible coach and an incredible group that he represents. So the sky is the restrict. Let’s see how difficult he makes it for 2K.
You had been there with him when he revealed his ranking. Is he a fan of the sport? Does he play?
Oh my god. It’s actually humorous. When he first noticed me, he expenses as much as me like a bit of child and was so excited to satisfy me. I knew proper then that this man has been enjoying the sport his whole life. It did imply a lot for him to satisfy me and he talked in regards to the first time he performed and what the sport means to him.
We’re very large internationally, but it surely doesn’t resonate as a result of I’m so North America centric. Watching him type of have that joyful child second, and he known as me a legend… you discuss a man that’s gotten a lot press consideration and but in relation to 2K it simply brings the joyous perspective of the child again. He’s simply so pumped to be representing a recreation that he’s performed for thus lengthy. We’re actually excited to have him.
My first engagement with him off-camera, simply hanging out, he was a brilliant good child and charismatic. Like I mentioned, I feel San Antonio ought to be actually excited for not simply the participant you’re getting on the court docket however the particular person you will have within the group.
One final query for you. Are you able to inform me something in regards to the different Spurs and their scores?
We haven’t revealed any but, and I don’t have any I can state off the highest of my head. I’m not telling you one thing you don’t already know. That is going to be a constructing yr for the Spurs as they attempt to put Victor on the forefront of the franchise after which construct round him. That’s why there was nobody else within the top-12 for San Antonio. There’s a purpose that they had the primary decide, I suppose.
There’s a lot to sit up for sooner or later, and let’s see the place a few of these different items find yourself rating-wise for 2K24.
