The video game indicates that former Duke basketball one-and-done Jayson Tatum is as dangerous as the league’s most famous players.
Jayson Tatum, a Boston Celtics superstar and 2016-17 Duke basketball forward, has a career-high 95 rating according to NBA 2K25, the video game released on Monday.
The 26-year-old Tatum, who recently won a gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics and the Celtics’ first NBA title in 16 years, trails only five players on the list: Denver Nuggets big man Nikola Jokic (97), Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (97), Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (97), Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (96), and Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid.
Tatum’s rating places him in a three-way tie with renowned Golden State Warriors guard Steph Curry and Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James. They are ahead of Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant (94) and Los Angeles Lakers big man Anthony Davis (94) to complete the top ten.
Last season, Jayson Tatum averaged 26.9 points, 8.1 rebounds, and a career-high 4.9 assists per game, earning his fifth All-Star selection and third straight All-NBA First Team honor. His 47.1 field goal % was his greatest since his rookie season, when he was picked third overall by the Celtics after a one-and-done season with Durham.
Mavericks player Kyrie Irving, who has a 92 NBA 2K25 rating this season, is the next-highest Duke basketball star on the list at No. 14.
Three more NBA Blue Devils have entered the top 50: Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero (89) at No. 21, New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (88) at No. 27, and Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram (85) at No. 47.
