Despite missing most of last season due to injury, Pacers All-Star Paul George's brand remains strong. George has several national endorsements with companies like Papa John's and Gatorade (he filmed a commercial for the latter right here at Bankers Life Fieldhouse earlier this week).
George earned more recognition on Thursday, when the world's most popular basketball video game announced that George would have a prominent role in its latest version:
George will be the cover athlete for the game's mobile companion app. The free app allows users to earn extra virtual currency (VC), which they can then use to unlock various features and upgrades inside the video game. The app also has a chat feature that allows players to talk with fellow gamers.
The app is scheduled to launch on Oct. 1, two days after the video game's release on Sept. 29. This year's version of the game has three different cover athletes: reigning NBA MVP Stephen Curry, New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis, and Houston Rockets guard James Harden.
Between those three players and now George, NBA 2K16 is making a very apparent decision to base their marketing around the NBA's young stars (all four players are between the ages of 22 and 27). Each of those four players figures to have a strong chance at landing a spot on the United States men's national team that will compete in the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.
While George will grace the cover of the 2K16 mobile app, several of his teammates are eagerly awaiting the game's release. A few Pacers players have already shared their player ratings for the new game via social media: