2K have announced new details for the MyCareer mode coming to the next-gen versions of NBA 2K23, including how your life off the court, will also impact how you are perceived.

The story kicks off after the NBA Draft and challenges players to balance their performance in the NBA, while navigating their off-court career through music, fashion, and business. What makes things more intriguing, is that your character has been drafted into a city, but the folks who live there, wanted someone else, they wanted Shep Owens.

This is his home town, they love the Shep and they don’t like the fact that you have taken the spot that should have gone to them, but that is just another reason to be the best. In this career fashion, business and music are crucial to becoming the best, both on the court and off, as your actions off the court will determine how many people want to watch you on it.

There are also some changes to how you get into games in the MyCareer mode, in last year and older titles, you would access the next game by just selecting it from a menu, this year though you don’t have to. You can still select it from the menu if you desire, but you can walk the walk now, as the game will let you walk into the arena in order to get ready. This is where you can put your fashion sense into practice, just like real world players will turn up to a game, dressed in something eclectic, your character can do the same. If you make your fashion choice out of your swag, that might inspire people to buy more, but the walk isn’t some random animation, its a full on experience.

You can walk through the forecourt of the arena, talking to some fans, going in the players gate and walking to the change rooms, swap your style out for the uniform and maybe even take some questions in the press room and when you are ready, walk out onto the court to being the game.

In terms of music, the NBA 2K series has always had a drive to include some of the biggest and unique names in music and that trend is continuing this year. Among a rich cast of characters and cameos, MyCareer will feature Dreamville musicians Elite and Bas as they help players befriend J. Cole and capture the hearts and minds of The City.

“NBA 2K has long been a place to discover new musical talent through their game and continues to be a gold standard for showcasing all things basketball culture,” said J. Cole. “It’s been an amazing journey to not only appear on a cover of this year’s game, but to be part of the MyCAREER storyline, soundtrack and bring the DREAMER brand into NBA 2K. There’s also more to come, so watch out for all things Dreamville and DREAMER brand drops during Seasons and for Bas and Elite in this year’s MyCAREER story.”
“The sheer scale, depth and talent featured in this year’s MyCAREER creates an unparalleled experience within NBA 2K23,” said Alfie Brody, Vice President of Global Marketing Strategy at NBA 2K. “At the top of that list of talent is our first cover star who truly sits at the intersection of basketball and music. Bringing a visionary like J. Cole and DREAMER into the creative process for both the game and the soundtrack showcases the pillar of culture that NBA 2K23 has become.”

The soundtrack itself will feature some big names as well, including “TITANIC (feat. Rich Brian)” by Jackson Wang, “Rucón” by Alemán, “West Like (feat. Kalan.FrFr)” by Destiny Rogers, “The Matrix” by Ski Mask the Slump God and “Megan’s Piano” by Megan Thee Stallion, plus many more. Check out the artist line up in the graphic below.