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2K Signs Zion Williamson to Multiyear Partnership, NBA 2K20 Features Female Referees and Ninja Headbands

NBA 2K20

2K Signs Zion Williamson to Multiyear Partnership, NBA 2K20 Features Female Referees and Ninja Headbands

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2K announced they have signed New Orleans Pelicans’ rookie Zion Williamson to a multiyear partnership. The former No. 1 overall pick will be integrated in various game initiatives, consumer events, brand creative and social activations.

Check out the video below, showing off a few glimpses of NBA 2K20, in action. As spotted in our NBA 2K Forums, it includes a quick look at Jrue Holiday with a karate/ninja/hachimaki headband (thanks jkd32332), a female referee (thanks CaVsFaN2273) and a few other small details.

2K today announced that Zion Williamson, the first overall selection in the 2019 NBA Draft, has officially signed a multiyear partnership with NBA 2K. The agreement will include Williamson’s integration into various game initiatives, consumer events, brand creative, and social activations. Williamson, who is the highest-rated rookie in NBA 2K since 2011, will make his video game debut in NBA 2K20 when it launches on September 6, 2019.

“I’m excited to officially join Team 2K and be a part of this global phenomenon, where people around the world can play as me. I’m ready to put my imprint on basketball culture and be a part of the team that represents what’s next in the sport.”

Williamson joins an elite group of NBA athletes that have represented NBA 2K over the past two decades alongside Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry, James Harden, Shaquille O’Neal, LeBron James, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and NBA 2K20 cover stars Anthony Davis and Dwyane Wade.

“Zion represents the best of the NBA’s up and coming talent and we are excited to welcome him to Team 2K,” said Jason Argent, Senior Vice President of Basketball Operations at NBA 2K. “For more than 20 years, NBA 2K has identified and worked with the best basketball talent in the world. It’s been incredible to witness what Zion can do on the court and we’re excited to grow with him throughout his career.”

Fans will be able to play as Zion Williamson for the first time when NBA 2K20 is released worldwide on September 6, 2019.

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  1. Showing comments 1-52 of 52 comments
    Goffs
    For being the number 1 basketball game they still can't get the license for MSG? Surely they can afford it by now? Unless EA owns the rights to it somehow?
    ksuttonjr76
    MoneyOvaHuds

    Sigh...I don't even really care about graphics and screenshots, but all I see is the defensive AIs (Rondo, Green) not paying attention to the action behind them.
    CaVsFaN2273
    Someone on twitter noticed that there was a female ref at 0:57. Also just noticed how they had Zion postering Enes. I know they've done that in the past with KD and CJ, but it's always funny when they add in little things like that.
    CaVsFaN2273
    ksuttonjr76
    Sigh...I don't even really care about graphics and screenshots, but all I see is the defensive AIs (Rondo, Green) not paying attention to the action behind them.

    Also, this could be nitpicking, but why is Kuzma still running towards Zion when he's clearly beat and Zion is already going up to dunk? Just looks weird to me...
    Goffs
    CaVsFaN2273
    Someone on twitter noticed that there was a female ref at 0:57. Also just noticed how they had Zion postering Enes. I know they've done that in the past with KD and CJ, but it's always funny when they add in little things like that.

    Nice! Good catch.
    ksuttonjr76
    CaVsFaN2273
    Also, this could be nitpicking, but why is Kuzma still running towards Zion when he's clearly beat and Zion is already going up to dunk? Just looks weird to me...

    I know I could be nitpicking, so I'm not going to front about that. I guess that I'm at that "age" where graphics and features don't wow me as much as it used to. I'm just looking for the fundamental basketball stuff now. I know that I'm going to buy it Day 1, because NBA 2K would need an apocalyptic bad development year (NBA Live 10 to Elite 11) for me to stop buying the game.
    The little things bother me, but they don't bother me at the same time.
    lvnba
    AI still looks "lost" as some of you have already pointed out.
    Also, when Zion blocks Mitchell Robinson you can see how Zion's arm goes through Mitchell's. Still no realistic body contact.
    CaVsFaN2273
    ksuttonjr76
    I know I could be nitpicking, so I'm not going to front about that. I guess that I'm at that "age" where graphics and features don't wow me as much as it used to. I'm just looking for the fundamental basketball stuff now. I know that I'm going to buy it Day 1, because NBA 2K would need an apocalyptic bad development year (NBA Live 10 to Elite 11) for me to stop buying the game.
    The little things bother me, but they don't bother me at the same time.

    No, don't get me wrong, I was agreeing with what you pointed out and I completely understand. It just looks awkward.
    Kushmir
    ksuttonjr76
    1:06 mark...defender momentarily "stopped/paused" before putting the hand up to contest the shot :brickwall .

    The Wilson Chandler one? I didn't think that one was that bad. If guys are closing out from far away I think that one is appropriate, no?
    FixEverything2k
    Whyyyy is the AI STILL TURNED AROUND WITH THEIR BACKS TO THE BASKET OBLIVIOUS THAT ZION IS DUNKING??
    Why do players still not know where they or the ball is on the court?
    Smhh.
    ksuttonjr76
    Kushmir
    The Wilson Chandler one? I didn't think that one was that bad. If guys are closing out from far away I think that one is appropriate, no?

    I could be overthinking it, but it seemed like the player was running to close out the shooter, and there was a very slight hitch/delay like the player was briefly deciding whether to jump for the block or merely put the hand out.
    Crazy part, I wasn't even looking for it. It just jumped out to me, because the entire motion didn't seem fluid.
    Kushmir
    ksuttonjr76
    I could be overthinking it, but it seemed like the player was running to close out the shooter, and there was a very slight hitch/delay like the player was briefly deciding whether to jump for the block or merely put the hand out.
    Crazy part, I wasn't even looking for it. It just jumped out to me, because the entire motion didn't seem fluid.

    Yeah that one was ok. Closing out late shouldn't warp guys over there instantly.
    eaterofworlds888
    Lighting does look better which is great. Still bummed about no floor textures but it's not really a deal breaker for me. Really am still pretty excited about this one but really looking forward to 2k21, just hope it isn't stripped down of modes.
    WarMMA
    ksuttonjr76
    Sigh...I don't even really care about graphics and screenshots, but all I see is the defensive AIs (Rondo, Green) not paying attention to the action behind them.

    Yh I feel like the silly AI thing is just here to stay at this point smh. They have improved the AI a bit, but man it's like it never fully goes away.
    WarMMA
    Junior Moe
    The lighting is definitely better. All in all, I'm getting a very 2K14 last gen vibe.
    Sent from my SM-G950U using Operation Sports mobile app

    Yh i'm getting the 2k14 vibes too. I hated that they had to downgrade it, but glad it's finally headed back in that direction.
    swac07
    Goffs
    For being the number 1 basketball game they still can't get the license for MSG? Surely they can afford it by now? Unless EA owns the rights to it somehow?
    I think they do
    Sent from my LGLS992 using Tapatalk
    Optimus James
    2K makes me laugh...how could you release a screencap of defenders turned with their back to the basket after the play is already over lol
    They just don't know basketball.
    TheFinalEvent97
    DC
    Just here for the, "Jumping to conclusion" comments.

    The 2k19 trailer that had the Triple Threat gameplay where Horford was guarding nobody in transition turned out to be exactly what transition D was like in the game. 🤔
    JAY_D1
    NOfatchicks
    Players on the bench are not all wearing the same warmup gear. More variety

    Man! Call me one of the rare guys that care about this but DO YOU SEE THE SHOOTING SHIRT PLUS GAME SHORT COMBO!!?? Finally!! It used to irritate me when they would take the warmup off and come back to the bench with their game kit after being subbed out.. The little things that matter to ppl like me
    Shooting shirts are now in, and I wonder if they will include things like special ones that come out per season?
    JAY_D1
    Optimus James
    2K makes me laugh...how could you release a screencap of defenders turned with their back to the basket after the play is already over lol
    They just don't know basketball.

    I feel your passion for the details as you should but saying they just don't know basketball is kinda bogus...
    We don't know how hard it is to get that detail together in a game. We get spoiled every year with greatness but when something happens we don't like, we go crazy on them.
    Lets be real, one thing for certain is that we don't know the amount of code (?) or work that goes into details like that.
    Vni
    Behindshadows
    I guess no one is going to point out how much larger the courts are compared to 2k19.

    Yeah I don't really see what you're basing this statement on.
    And it's also something that's said almost every year and in the end it ends up being the same as the previous year.
    Korrupted
    Zion barely gets off the ground when he shoots yet in the video he gets off the ground higher than Aldridge base. Fix it 2k.
    Ninja headbands are a great addition. If the gameplay is garbage all of this is pointless though. Fingers crossed.
    Goffs
    Korrupted
    Zion barely gets off the ground when he shoots yet in the video he gets off the ground higher than Aldridge base. Fix it 2k.
    Ninja headbands are a great addition. If the gameplay is garbage all of this is pointless though. Fingers crossed.
    Isn't that more a jumper animation assigned to him? I know 2k is lax with the jumper animation assigned to the players. First thread I check out usually is the sig jumper changes that the roster forum starts.
    Sent from my SM-G960U1 using Tapatalk
    olajuwon34
    Wow this is literally useless information in comparison to the problems this game has, were talking about a game thats coming from having a mechanic where players can shoot coming down the court from 40 feet with ease, even off the dribble with great %'s, and this is what people are getting excited for? what about the core fundamental mechanics of basketball getting worked out, this is completely un important information in the big scheme of things
    Junior Moe
    olajuwon34
    Wow this is literally useless information in comparison to the problems this game has, were talking about a game thats coming from having a mechanic where players can shoot coming down the court from 40 feet with ease, even off the dribble with great %'s, and this is what people are getting excited for? what about the core fundamental mechanics of basketball getting worked out, this is completely un important information in the big scheme of things

    You don't have to acknowledge it, you know? No need to rain on anybody's parade. The substantive info on the game (that you no doubt with gripe about..) will come soon enough. We all know 2Ks schedule at this point.
    J_Posse
    Optimus James
    2K makes me laugh...how could you release a screencap of defenders turned with their back to the basket after the play is already over lol
    They just don't know basketball.
    Cause it's a video game and not real life?
    Obviously, we'd all love the A.I. to constantly be aware of their surroundings, but limitation likely won't make that possible (on current gen).
    And I'm sure that limitation means they "don't know basketball" when O.G. played overseas for years......
    Sent from my SM-G935V using Operation Sports mobile app
    olajuwon34
    You guys will make excuses for this game till the ends of the earth, its really amazing to me, the company has clearly gone toward caring just for profit over quality and customer yet you guys always make excuses for them, and dont call it me raining on people's parades, call it me harping on a company like 2k for letting fundamental basketball mechanics in their game become poor and micro transactions, cosmetics and advertising be their main focus and selling points.
    Goffs
    olajuwon34
    You guys will make excuses for this game till the ends of the earth, its really amazing to me, the company has clearly gone toward caring just for profit over quality and customer yet you guys always make excuses for them, and dont call it me raining on people's parades, call it me harping on a company like 2k for letting fundamental basketball mechanics in their game become poor and micro transactions, cosmetics and advertising be their main focus and selling points.
    .
    Sent from my SM-G960U1 using Tapatalk
    23
    olajuwon34
    You guys will make excuses for this game till the ends of the earth, its really amazing to me, the company has clearly gone toward caring just for profit over quality and customer yet you guys always make excuses for them, and dont call it me raining on people's parades, call it me harping on a company like 2k for letting fundamental basketball mechanics in their game become poor and micro transactions, cosmetics and advertising be their main focus and selling points.

    ................
    Sent from my ONEPLUS A6013 using Tapatalk
    CaVsFaN2273
    See this is the problem with a majority of the 2K community. You have so many people with this extreme hive mind mentality where people are like, "F*** 2K!", "2K scams us every year!", "2K doesn't actually care about us!". People continuously refuse to recognize any of the good things that they do. 2K certainly deserves a good amount of flak they get (e.g. legacy issues, servers, etc.), but there is still SO many more great things that they do in comparison to the bad things. If you truly hate the game THAT much and think it's a terrible game then just stop buying it. And don't give that excuse of, "It's the only basketball game on the market!" If a video game p***** you off that much, then it's not worth it to keep playing for your own health's sake. I would suggest that instead of coming on here and going on irrational rants, you should compile clips of the issues you see, make short write-ups on how it should be improved, and post them in multiple forums so they will have a better chance of getting noticed. Coming on here and bashing 2K and the devs will certainly not get you nor the game anywhere.
    aeroneflores
    CaVsFaN2273
    See this is the problem with a majority of the 2K community. You have so many people with this extreme hive mind mentality where people are like, "F*** 2K!", "2K scams us every year!", "2K doesn't actually care about us!". People continuously refuse to recognize any of the good things that they do. 2K certainly deserves a good amount of flak they get (e.g. legacy issues, servers, etc.), but there is still SO many more great things that they do in comparison to the bad things. If you truly hate the game THAT much and think it's a terrible game then just stop buying it. And don't give that excuse of, "It's the only basketball game on the market!" If a video game p***** you off that much, then it's not worth it to keep playing for your own health's sake. I would suggest that instead of coming on here and going on irrational rants, you should compile clips of the issues you see, make short write-ups on how it should be improved, and post them in multiple forums so they will have a better chance of getting noticed. Coming on here and bashing 2K and the devs will certainly not get you nor the game anywhere.

    Or you can just buy the PC, learn how to mod and fix/add everything your OCD desires. PC is truly where it's at when it comes to aesthetics of the game
    Real2KInsider
    Complaining about AI drones in a free-flowing basketball game
    Have you played literally any other video game in the last 30 years?
    NPCs walk around aimlessly in MANY video games. Name one game where they don't.
    The amount of complexity in Basketball is absurd relative to another sport like say LOL baseball where everyone stands around and then moves to a specific spot when there's contact with the ball.
    Players should cut to the basket when left open!
    Wait but what if it's Kyle Korver?
    Wait but what if it's Kevin Durant and he does both equally well?
    Other video games don't have these issues or decision-points within their AI.
    kjwill22
    Rashidi
    Complaining about AI drones in a free-flowing basketball game
    Have you played literally any other video game in the last 30 years?
    NPCs walk around aimlessly in MANY video games. Name one game where they don't.
    The amount of complexity in Basketball is absurd relative to another sport like say LOL baseball where everyone stands around and then moves to a specific spot when there's contact with the ball.
    Players should cut to the basket when left open!
    Wait but what if it's Kyle Korver?
    Wait but what if it's Kevin Durant and he does both equally well?
    Other video games don't have these issues or decision-points within their AI.

    Thing about this is when somebody is in the paint and they cut right when you tap the icon and the center steals the pass I really hate that
    Sent from my iPhone using Operation Sports
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