Following EA`s announcement in June about the revival of its beloved college basketball franchise, many speculated on its release date. However, it has been confirmed that fans will have to wait a considerable period, a revelation that comes as little surprise.
Sean O`Brien, an executive at EA Sports, indicated that the company is prepared to tackle the complexities of developing a new college basketball title. He noted that EA is currently in the preliminary stages of planning how the project will be realized.
Despite the early development phase, O`Brien expressed aspirations for the game to feature all Division I men`s and women`s basketball teams, acknowledging the immense challenge such an endeavor presents.
The successful reintroduction of the college football series was cited by O`Brien as a crucial factor enabling the return of college basketball. He commented, “We believe we achieved significant success with college football, and we aim to replicate that for college basketball.”
Previously, reports suggested a potential release for EA`s new college basketball game alongside the 2028-2029 season, though this remains unconfirmed by official statements.
Beyond EA`s efforts, 2K Sports has also declared its intention to revive its own college basketball series, which is also presumed to be in its initial development stages.
Reflecting on EA`s college football title, the project was first hinted at in 2021 and eventually launched in July 2024. Its release marked a significant triumph, garnering over $1 billion for EA and becoming the second best-selling game in the U.S. for 2024.
EA`s last college basketball release was NCAA Basketball 10 in 2009. Similarly, 2K`s last offering in the genre was College Hoops 2K8, released in 2007.