As the NBA 2K franchise expands its WNBA content, virtual ratings for 16 members of the New York Liberty have been released.
The New York Liberty’s season in the WNBA’s Bradenton bubble has come to an end, but their virtual counterparts are getting ready to take the court.
2K Sports has unveiled the player rankings for the upcoming next-gen console release of NBA 2K21, the latest installment of its long-running pro basketball simulator. The game will feature WNBA squads for the second season and player ratings for each of the league’s dozen teams have been unveiled.
Perhaps not surprisingly, the rebuilding Liberty, who endured a 2-20 record in a year that featured seven rookies, have the lowest team rating amongst the WNBA’s 12 teams. However, New York might yet prove to be a popular choice amongst players, as touted rookie Sabrina Ionescu lead the way with an 81 overall rating. The record-breaking collegiate sensation Ionescu was the top overall pick of April’s WNBA Draft and partook in three games with the Liberty before sustaining a season-ending ankle injury. She was not on the inaugural edition of last year’s roster, though that didn’t stop players and streamers from adding her in later on.
Third-year woman and 2019 WNBA All-Star Kia Nurse comes in a 2nd place with an 81 rating. She joins Ionescu as one of five Liberty players ranked in 2K’s Top 100 WNBA players, joining Layshia Clarendon, Asia Durr, and Amanda Zahui B (all coming in a 79).
Players may also be attracted to the Liberty for their propensity to shoot the three-pointer. The New Yorkers attempted over 600 triples in actuality, and they’re blessed with six players with a three-point rating of at last 80. Rebecca Allen, one of several players who opted out of the 2020 campaign, leads the way at 86, followed closely by mid-season acquisition Paris Kea at 85. Allen, Megan Walker, and Jocelyn Willoughby have all been granted the label of “3-PT specialist” as well. In other positives, New York’s athleticism rating of 82 is tied for the best in 2K’s WNBA with the Los Angeles Sparks.
The Liberty’s full season ratings can be found here.
Working a WNBA license for the second straight season, the game has drastically expanded its work with the Assocation. Next-gen console releases will feature a customized player mode, as well as a franchise mode. NBA 2K21Â will be released on November 10 for XBox Series X/S, with a release on the PlayStation 5 due two days later.
Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffJMags