With the release of NBA 2K25, player ratings once again took center stage: San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama received a notable upgrade, setting a new standard for second-year players in franchise history.

Victor Wembanyama, last season’s standout rookie, increased his overall rating to 91, making him the 18th highest-rated player in the game. This significant increase from his initial score of 84 not only places him at the top of his peers, but also makes him the highest-rated second-year player in NBA 2K history.

“It’s the highest rating for a second-year player after the highest rating for a first-year player, but at no point has he disappointed,” said Ronnie 2K, digital marketing director for 2K Games, during NBA 2K Community Day, as reported by The Sporting News.

Despite Wembanyama’s justifiably high rating, his teammates Devin Vassell and Keldon Johnson received ratings that do not adequately reflect their performance on the field.

Incorrect overall ratings of San Antonio Spurs players in NBA 2K25

Devin Vassell has good arguments for an overall rating of 84

NBA 2K25 has assigned Spurs sharpshooter Devin Vassell a modest rating of 81 despite his strong performance last season.
He averaged 19.7 points and 4.1 assists per game, shooting 47.2% from the field and 37.2% from three-pointers in 68 games. Vassell is considered a 2-way 3-level threat in the game and his best stats are 95 points in close range shooting, offensive consistency and hands. Despite his considerable success and versatility on the court, his current rating and his four shooting badges, including a gold Middy Magician, may not adequately represent his accomplishments. Vassell truly deserves an overall rating of 84.

Keldon Johnson must reach a total of 82

Keldon Johnson has an overall rating of 80 in NBA 2K25, unchanged from last year and down from the 82 in NBA 2K22. After peaking at an average of 22 points per game in a previous season, he put up solid numbers last year with 15.7 points and 5.5 rebounds and a shooting percentage of 45.4%. His performance suggests a higher skill level than his current rating reflects. Johnson is listed in the game as a “3-Level Threat” with seven badges, including Pogo Stick and Slippery-Off Ball. His contributions and consistent performance make a strong case for awarding him an overall rating of 82.

NBA 2K25 Spurs roster ratings show fair assessments despite rating controversy

The rest of the Spurs roster appears to have received fair ratings. Veteran point guard Chris Paul, recently signed by the Spurs, maintains an overall rating of 81 after starting at 84 in NBA 2K24, indicating his transitional phase within the team dynamic.

Even when NBA 2K25 comes out, ratings will no doubt continue to be a topic of discussion among fans and players, especially when it comes to determining whether game metrics accurately reflect real-world performance. The discrepancies in player ratings, particularly those of Vassell and Johnson, highlight the ongoing challenges in sports simulation games to balance player development and real-time performance metrics.