Think NBA stars are obsessed with their NBA 2K ratings? Celtics’ Derrick White is happy with his 87, but his thoughts on playing as himself are surprisingly candid. Get the scoop on his unique approach to the game and what he prefers to play instead. What’s your go-to sports game?
Each new release of NBA 2K consistently generates significant excitement and debate, particularly concerning player ratings, a phenomenon that even deeply engages professional basketball athletes themselves.
While many NBA players often express frustration or use their NBA 2K ratings as a source of social media chatter, Boston Celtics shooting guard Derrick White maintains a remarkably composed and pragmatic perspective on his own in-game evaluation.
White’s journey with his NBA 2K ratings shows a steady progression, starting at an 86 in 2K25 before modestly climbing to an 87 by the end of that season. This same 87 rating is confirmed for him as he enters the highly anticipated NBA 2K26, a consistency he appears quite satisfied with.
Reflecting on earlier stages of his career, Derrick White candidly admits to feeling considerable frustration over his initial 2K ratings, a common sentiment shared by many professional peers. However, he has since evolved, now embracing his 87 rating and acknowledging the often subjective and arbitrary nature of these digital assessments.
Despite his relaxed stance on his personal rating, White humorously revealed in a recent interview that he is unlikely to play NBA 2K26 as his own character. He expresses genuine appreciation for his inclusion in the game, valuing the unique experience of having a digital representation without necessarily diving into gameplay as himself.
Interestingly, White has had direct involvement in the game’s development process in previous years, specifically undergoing face scans to ensure his virtual likeness is as accurate as technologically possible. He recalls this initial experience as exhilarating, an opportunity to contribute to a game he would not only play but also be an integral part of.
When Derrick White does occasionally indulge in NBA 2K, his gameplay strategy is, by his own admission, unconventional and often ineffective. He describes a self-defeating approach, primarily involving passing the ball to himself, dribbling excessively fast, and launching ill-advised shots, which frequently results in losses.
Having dedicated a significant portion of his life to professional basketball, White has, perhaps surprisingly, moved away from playing virtual basketball in his leisure time. He now prefers to immerse himself in other sports gaming titles such as NHL or Madden, indicating a shift in his recreational gaming preferences after also giving up shooting games.
