Jamal Murray is named NBA 2K25 Season Athlete and launches the New Balance sneaker that pays tribute to his love of the video game

Jamal Murray and the Denver Nuggets are gearing up for another big season as they look to take on the challenge in the highly competitive Western Conference.

It was a tumultuous summer for Murray, who signed a four-year, $208 million contract to keep him in Denver long-term and played in his first Olympics with the Canadian national team.

Off the court, the 27-year-old has been active as one of the leading faces of New Balance and recently helped launch the TWO WXY V5 sneaker, which he will wear on the court this season, alongside Dejounte Murray and Indiana guard New Orleans Pelicans Pacers forward Aaron Nesmith.

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As part of the shoe’s release, Murray will receive his own signature edition, a tribute to his love of NBA 2K, with an in-game version of the sneaker available in NBA 2K25.

Murray first released an NBA 2K edition with New Balance – the NBA 2K23 x Jamal Murray x New Balance Two WXY V3 – and the latest edition is inspired by the video game’s ranks, based on gems and diamonds and features badges attributed to Murray’s MyPlayer become character: Shifty Shooter and Layup Mixmaster.

“It’s sick,” Murray told Sporting News in response to the release of a second NBA 2K sneaker.

“That’s really cool. It’s got some cool colors and some badges, so I can’t wait for you guys to see it and I can’t wait to get on the field with it and play a game.”

Murray will officially debut the Two Wxy v5 2K x Jamal Murray on court in the Nuggets’ season opener at home against the Oklahoma City Thunder (October 24) and away against the Brooklyn Nets (November 1).

Murray named Season Athlete for NBA 2K25

Murray will make a name for himself in NBA 2K for the second consecutive year and will be named a Season Athlete for NBA 2K25.

As an avid gamer and NBA 2K player, this doesn’t come naturally to Murray.

“It means a lot. It’s really cool,” Murray said.

“I played 2K my whole life growing up and stuff, so it’s really cool that it’s come full circle with me now being in the game and having shoes and everything and badges.”

“[It’s] something I want to continue to be a part of and it’s really motivating.”

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Part of that motivation is to improve his 2K rating. Murray enters the 2024-25 season with a rating of 87, one point lower than his 2K24 rating.

“It could always be higher,” Murray said.

“That’s why you have to go into the season, improve and show yourself. I’m just looking forward to getting on the court and improving the scoring.”

New Balance ushers in the next generation of stars

Since signing with New Balance in 2020, Murray has become one of the key faces of the brand, making a huge impact on the basketball sneaker world.

With double-digit growth in footwear and apparel worldwide over the past three years, New Balance has revolutionized the basketball sneaker market with a series of star signings.

Led by Murray, Kawhi Leonard (LA Clippers), Zach LaVine (Chicago Bulls), Dejounte Murray (New Orleans Pelicans), Darius Garland (Cleveland Cavaliers) and Tyrese Maxey (Philadelphia 76ers), New Balance has built a strong roster of NBA players As he eyes the future, Cooper Flagg, the projected No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, will sign a lucrative contract ahead of his first season at Duke.

New Balance is also making its mark on women’s soccer by signing a multi-year partnership with the WNBA as an official partner and making Los Angeles Sparks rookie Cameron Brink the face of its women’s basketball division.

“It’s really cool. We have some great people, great characters in the group, from all different sports too, so I think that’s really cool,” Murray said

New Balance has tapped into a younger demographic and established a foothold at the intersection of sports, fashion and music, collaborating with brands like Aimé Leon Dore and rapper Jack Harlow.

With Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani, tennis star Coco Gauff, Arsenal soccer player Bukayo Saka and Real Madrid’s Endrick all signed to the brand, New Balance is spreading across the sports world and expanding beyond the hardwood .

“Since we have artists from track and field, tennis and soccer, I think it’s really cool that we can all collaborate and come together and just be part of one brand,” Murray said.