NBA 2K26 Faces Fan Backlash Over Limited NCAA Team DLC The addition of just 16 college basketball programs in NBA 2K26 sparks controversy among fans hoping for a full NCAA basketball experience

The latest entry in the long-running NBA 2K series is once again making headlines — but this time, not just for its gameplay.

NBA 2K26, developed by Visual Concepts and published by 2K, has earned praise for its refined mechanics and presentation. However, a recent announcement about college basketball DLC has divided the community.

Fans were initially excited to see NCAA teams make their return to basketball gaming for the first time since EA Sports’ NCAA Basketball 10 in 2009. But after learning that only 16 college programs would be included, the reaction quickly turned sour.

🎓 Only 16 Schools Confirmed for NCAA DLC

2K recently confirmed that the Houston men’s and women’s basketball teams will be among the limited group of schools featured in NBA 2K26 as part of its new DLC content. Other programs expected to appear include:

Kansas
Baylor
Arizona
Michigan
Duke
UCLA
Florida

While the return of college basketball content is a welcome surprise, the small number of teams has left many fans frustrated.

The DLC will reportedly include real player scans for authenticity — with Houston players already scheduled for facial and body scans — but questions remain about whether official arenas, conferences, and tournaments will be included.

😡 Fan Reactions: “What Do We Even Do With 16 Schools?”

Social media was quick to erupt with backlash after the announcement. Fans voiced concerns that the DLC feels rushed and limited in scope:

“Only having 16 schools in a sport of 365 is disgusting work. I’m sick to my stomach.”

“Assuming this will be a sloppy rush job… do we think any actual school arenas will be in this? Or just a generic ‘college arena’?”

“It appears that 2K has successfully hijacked and ruined the potential NCAA Basketball video game.”

Many players fear that by locking college content behind DLC and offering such a small selection of teams, 2K may be undercutting the potential for a true standalone college basketball game.

🧩 2K Responds With Long-Term NCAA Plans

In response to the backlash, 2K has clarified that this is only the beginning of its college basketball roadmap. The publisher says its “college basketball experience” will eventually expand to over 100 programs, with updates scheduled throughout 2026.

By 2027, 2K plans to assess whether to develop a full standalone NCAA Basketball title, depending on how the DLC performs both financially and critically.

While that future remains uncertain, it’s clear that fans are demanding more authenticity, more schools, and a more complete college basketball ecosystem — something that hasn’t been seen since the EA Sports era.

🔮 What This Means for the Future of College Hoops in 2K

The return of college basketball to NBA 2K is significant — but its limited rollout has raised fair concerns about the franchise’s direction.

If 2K can deliver meaningful updates and steadily expand beyond the initial 16 teams, this could mark the rebirth of college hoops gaming. But if not, the backlash could derail any chance of a standalone NCAA revival.

For now, the ball is in 2K’s court — and fans are watching closely.

💭 Final Thoughts

NBA 2K26’s NCAA DLC represents both progress and frustration. It’s a long-overdue step toward bringing college basketball back to consoles, but the execution has left players skeptical.

If 2K hopes to win fans over, future updates will need to deliver more schools, authentic arenas, and a deeper sense of realism worthy of the college basketball experience.