For next-gen, NBA 2K21 will feature drastically improved load speeds, visual fidelity on an unmatched level and an unrivaled breadth of content for basketball fans and players. Fans can expect new game features, game modes, brand partnerships, social events, in-game experiences and a brand new soundtrack that will set the record as the most definitive collection of music ever assembled in a video game.

While the next-generation version of NBA 2K21 is being built from the ground up for next-generation consoles, 2K is also introducing several initiatives to bridge the two versions of the game. NBA 2K21 will feature MyTEAM Cross-Progression and a Shared VC Wallet within the same console family (PS4 to PS5, Xbox One to Xbox Series X).

MyTEAM Cross-Progression enables all MyTEAM Points, Tokens, cards and progress to be shared on both current and next-generation versions of NBA 2K21 in the same console family; similarly, the Shared VC Wallet means any earned or purchased VC is accessible across both current and next-generation versions of NBA 2K21 in the same console family. As shared earlier, players who are interested in picking up both versions of NBA 2K21 on either PlayStation or Xbox can check out the Mamba Forever Edition, which provides dual-access by providing purchasers with a copy of the standard edition of NBA 2K21 on the other generation at no additional cost, within the same console family.

2K announced the two finalists of the third annual NBA 2K21 MyTEAM Unlimited $250,000 Tournament that will compete for the grand prize live on Saturday, March 6 at 3 p.m. PT / 6 p.m. ET. 

Watch the live-stream on Twitch here, and check out more information and rewards leading into the finals on NBA 2K’s Facebook here and Twitter here.

The final takes place between Tyler Debondt (age: 20, TwoWayRoco) of Cedar Falls, IA and Kimanni Ingram (age: 22, NewEditionFlash) of Milwaukee, WI. The finalists emerged as the last two players standing after four pre-qualifying GameDays that began October of last year and battled through a 32 head-to-head single elimination qualifier tournament in February. 

TwoWayRoco qualified for the single-elimination tournament in the Xbox One bracket averaging 89 PPG, while NewEditionFlash qualified for the PlayStation 4 bracket averaging 88.5 PPG. Both finalists battled through four qualifying matches before being crowned champions of their respective consoles to advance to the final, which will be played on PS4.

Hosted by 2K League lead commentator, Jamie "DirK" Diaz Ruiz, Ronnie2K and influencer HenryTheBlasian, the two finalists will battle it out online for their share of the $250,000 prize purse, where the winner will receive $200,000 and the runner-up will receive $50,000. 

Full details and contest rules can be found here. 

2K also revealed updated NBA 2K21 player ratings coming to PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S and PC leading into NBA All-Star 2021 this weekend. Along with the All-Star 2021 game, some of the league’s most skilled players will battle it out in the Taco Bell® Skills Challenge, MTN DEW 3-Point Contest and half-time AT&T Slam Dunk contest - all with updated NBA 2K21 player ratings.

Team Kevin Durant (90.5 OVR Average) and Team LeBron James (91.75 OVR Average) will battle it out for bragging rights, and stars like Luka Doncic (93 OVR), Stephen Curry (98 3PT) and rookie Obi Toppin (90 Dunk Rating) will look to be crowned kings of the skills, 3-point and dunk contest, respectively. 

The path to basketball superstardom is a dream for many and achieved by few in real life, but in NBA 2K21 you’ll have that opportunity as you carve your own path in MyCAREER, a new storyline that takes your player from high school through college - incorporating ten officially-licensed college programs - and eventually the NBA! Always a highlight for millions of players around the world each year, MyCAREER offers a personal, cinematic basketball experience where you’ll build your custom MyPLAYER and take them to the heights of their career on and off the court.

In NBA 2K21, this year’s narrative, The Long Shadow, tells the story of Junior – the son of a beloved baller who faces the challenges of trying to make it to the NBA, balancing legacy while carving his own path through high school to college. Making this journey more authentic to real life, NBA 2K21 will feature 10 officially licensed college programs to choose from in the story: Michigan State, UConn, Florida, Gonzaga, Syracuse, Texas Tech, Oklahoma, UCLA, Villanova University and West Virginia.

Of course, just making it to the draft doesn't mean the end of the journey - it's just the beginning! You'll have to choose the right representation, manage team interviews, perform well at the NBA Combine and improve your Draft stock to land yourself in the best position for success.

Also, it wouldn’t be MyCAREER without some familiar famous faces. In NBA 2K21, you’ll see Jesse Williams (Grey’s Anatomy), Michael K. Williams (The Wire, Boardwalk Empire), Djimon Hounsou (Blood Diamond, Guardians of the Galaxy), Mireille Enos (The Killing, World War Z) and cover athletes Damian Lillard and Zion Williamson and more bring Junior’s story to life in a dramatic and cinematic way. 

NBA 2K21 is available for PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, PC and Google Stadia.