Although it's definitely a surprise when 2K made a deal like this in particular late in the launch, the overall trend of the game 2K23 MT itself probably suggested that this would happen some day. However, even with that said that this was not the brainchild of 2K, but J. Cole's. "Three and a quarter years ago after he made a shot during one of the breaks on the All-Star Weekend Saturday Night, J. Cole said 'Ronnie, I'd love to be on MyCareer and to help you think of the possibility of that."

Ronnie 2K tells Complex. "I was part of our team on bringing this idea to life but it was very suitable to collaborate with him. When we put out that tease, everybody believed it would be another basketball player...it allows us to stay in fashion, culture, music and 2K is seated at the table."

NBA 2K has evolved from just another hyped product in the gaming world. It's now a cultural moment and its intersection of pop culture, music clothing, sneakers, and, of course, basketball has taken the franchise to heights no other game has rivaled. With the release of its most recent edition, NBA 2K23. the game made history after announcing J. Cole as the first rapper to appear on this cover NBA 2K with the Dreamer Edition. Although it's no surprise that 2K announced a cover like this, especially at the end of the launch, the pattern of the game's gameplay may have indicated that this could happen one day. Even so it wasn't 2K's idea, it was J. Cole's.

"Three and a half years when he shot a ball at one of the break times in the All-Star Weekend Saturday Night, J. Cole said 'Ronnie I'd love to be on MyCareer and assist you in thinking about the possibility of that,'" Ronnie 2K tells Complex. "I have worked with my team on bringing this into existence, but it was extremely fitting to work with Ronnie 2K. When we launched the teaser, everyone assumed it was going to have another basketball player...it lets us to stay in Buy NBA 2K23 MT fashion, culture, music and 2K is seated at the table."