'It's A Real Statement We're Making!' Ronnie 2K Speaks on Spurs' Victor Wembanyama's Rookie Rating

Ronnie Singh — better known to the NBA world as Ronnie 2K — recently sat down with Emily Austin on The Hoop Chat to discuss Spurs rookie Victor Wembanyama ahead of NBA 2K24’s weekend release.

The NBA season may still be a month away, but in the midst of the waiting, fans and avid gamers can pass the time playing the newest iteration of NBA 2K, set to release this weekend.

Now one of the most popular sports game franchises in history, the series of basketball games has only grown in popularity over time, becoming more enticing with new graphics and game modes — even adding the WNBA teams to the mix of playable squads. 

Playing as your favorite team or creating your own player has long been the driving factor behind the game's popularity, but for some players, San Antonio Spurs rookie Victor Wembanyama provides an extra benefit on top of that. 

Playing as a 7-4 center-forward sounds enticing enough as it is, but adding a high ranking to the mix makes it another thing entirely, and now, Wembanyama is both.

Ronnie Singh, the Digital Marketing Director for 2K Games, recently sat down with Emily Austin on The Hoop Chat to discuss the rookie's rating, his potential and 2K in general ahead of the game's Sept. 8 release.

"[Victor's rating] is the highest rating for a rookie since we changed our ratings to be historical," Singh told Austin. "He's not only the highest rookie, but the highest by a lot." 

Wembanyama's initial rating is in fact higher ... and by a lot, too. 

Since 2K's inception, the highest rookie ratings have circled around the 80 range. Before Wembanyama, Zion Williamson and John Wall both tied for the highest rookie rating at 81, while Lonzo Ball, Cade Cunningham and Markelle Fultz followed suit with 80 ratings. 

Below them, Dallas Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic and Los Angeles Lakers star Anthony Davis headlined the group of 79 ratings — and LeBron James fell even lower, so Wembanyama's record-setting rating of 84 certainly says a lot about his potential.

"It's a real statement that we're making," Singh said. "We think he's going to be really good. I'm excited." 

While Wembanyama's rating sparked some online controversy regarding whether or not it was an accurate measurement of his talent. After all, he has yet to play in a regular-season game. But while there was a lot of "hot takes" about his rating, Singh explained that it would be adjusted according to his on-court. performance

"I'm not involved in the day to day," he said. "We have a formula. Whatever happens on the court goes right into the ratings. If you shoot at a high percentage, your field goal rating will be higher ... and all that. It's usually totally spot on."

So, take it from Ronnie 2K himself. Wembanyama's rating is "spot on". Even then, there is one burning question that the game's marketer has regarding the Spurs rookie.

"I think it's going to be interesting to see how much Popovich lets him run the offense," Singh said. "He's got a dribble package, but is it NBA level? We'll have to see. 

"Either way, 84 is an amazing rating."

When NBA 2K24 hits the market Friday, there will be a lot to take in regarding the gameplay and Wembanyama — especially given that he's again, not yet played a regular season game. But even without that experience, he's likely to be one of the most intriguing features of the latest 2K iteration. 

And when the regular season begins in late October, his rating can be even more accurate of his talent, which could see him becoming the highest-rated rookie once again.