How long has it been since EA Sports last released a college basketball video game? Consider this: NCAA Basketball 10 featured Blake Griffin as its cover athlete, just months after the Los Angeles Clippers selected the former Oklahoma star with the No. 1 overall pick of the 2009 NBA Draft.
But following the success of its relaunched college football franchise, it was only a matter of time until the preeminent sports video game manufacturer made its return to the college hardwood. And that time appears to be now, with EA Sports publishing a social media post seemingly announcing the return of its college basketball franchise, which has remained on hiatus since NCAA Basketball 10‘s release.
“Bring the Madness,” the post, which features a picture of a basketball emblazoned with the EA Sports logo reads. “Let’s run it back. #CBB #ItsInTheGame”
At this point, it’s unclear what type of timeline EA Sports might be looking at for the franchise’s return. The announcement comes one year after the release of College Football 25, which marked the company’s first college football game since 2013’s NCAA Football 14.
The college football franchise was initially shelved in the wake of the O’Bannon v. NCAA lawsuit. It was able to make its return, however, thanks to name, image and likeness (NIL) regulations, which paved the way for current college athletes to be compensated for their participation in the game and promotion of it.
Unsurprisingly, College Football 25 proved to be a massive hit, earning the title of best-selling sports video game in history. It now appears the franchise will release a new edition on an annual basis, with College Football 26 set to hit shelves and gaming consoles next week.
Although its basketball counterpart never quite obtained the same popularity the football video game did throughout the 2000s, the NCAA Basketball franchise did develop a devoted following over the years (it’s also worth noting that 2K Sports also produced a competing college basketball video game from 2002-2007). And if the success of College Football 25 and reaction to Monday’s announcement are any indication, there is certainly still a marketplace for what would mark the first major college basketball video game to be produced in more than 16 years.