Charles Barkley Joins NBA 2K13 As Part of Dream Team Line-Up

Wow, someone really knows how to convince Charles Barkley to join a dream project, don’t they?

2K Sports was seeking out the opportunity to add the classic Dream Team to its upcoming basketball game NBA 2K13, with most of the legends returning from previous versions of the game, including Larry Bird and Magic Johnson.  Unfortunately, there was one notable exclusion, a guy that the company just wasn’t able to convince to hop on board – Charles Barkley.

The outspoken NBA analyst had dabbled in video games before, starring in some copies of NBA Jam and his own basketball title, Shut Up and Jam! (and, of course, Shut Up and Jam! 2) before swearing off being in video games altogether.  However, it appears that Jay-Z, NBA 2K13’s executive producer, was able to convince him to return, and now he’s part of the Dream Team in the game.

Sadly, one player is still missing from the line-up – Chicago Bulls legend Scottie Pippen.  But 2K and Jay-Z are likely to get him soon, so don’t sweat it.  It’s just nice to have Charles back on the court, throwing elbows and talking trash.

NBA 2K13 hits stores on October 4th for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PC.  A Wii U release will follow when that system launches.