We’re excited to be giving PlayStation players their first chance to go hands-on with NBA The Run in our open beta this weekend. One of our core design pillars from the beginning was to make a game that feels like butter on the sticks. So when you’re pulling off a 720 with Ant, splashing a Steph stepback 3, or snatching a block out of midair with Giannis, it feels smooth, fluid. We can’t wait to get your feedback before the game drops on June 9 on PS5.
Today, we wanted to share more about the other players in our game who have been with us since the beginning of development – the Street Legends. They’re fictional (except for one, keep reading on), larger-than-life characters we’ve built from the ground up.
They differ from their NBA counterparts in having three elite, high-impact skills but also clear weaknesses across the board in other places. I like to think of them as x-factors who factor into the risk/reward gameplay strategy in NBA The Run. There will be times where you may be at a disadvantage because of a ruleset or opposing team’s squad comp, but there will also be games where you might be running the court.
Here’s a more in-depth look at each of our five Street Legends.
Spin cycle
Born in Philly, Spin Cycle learned the game between work shifts delivering laundry. That grind shows, as does his attention to detail. If you look closely, his home court, Spring Garden, was modified to reflect his name. Elite handles and elite hands, Spin Cycle lives off turnovers. His Pickpocket Zone Ability makes him a nightmare for ballhandlers. He has limited finishing skills at the rim, but his ability to disrupt plays every time is underrated.
Shen Tong
Shen Tong is China’s next streetball phenom at 14years old, spending countless hours practicing under the blinding sun of the Dongdan Sports Complex in Beijing. He’s only 5’3, but has huge hops. He’s fearless, finishing at the rim with signature dunks and controls tempo with his elite passing. His In the Zone Ability, Dropping Dimes, boosts both his passes and his teammates’ shot success. Just don’t ask him to lock down or muscle up. Defense and power are where he gets exposed.
If you get to level 5 in the beta, you’ll unlock Shen.
DJ
Destiny Jackson, aka DJ, is Harlem royalty who calls Rucker Park her home court. Basketball runs in her blood, as her father was also a famous street legend in the area. She is a walking bucket as her midrange and deep ball are all elite, and when she gets In the Zone, her Deep Threat ability stretches the floor even further. But above the arc is where she lives. Don’t expect her to attack the rim or crash the boards.
If you play the beta this weekend, you’ll get to try DJ.
El Gigante
We like to think of him as the OG unicorn. The 7’7 El Gigante owns the paint with rebounds, blocks, and vertical dominance at the highest levels in the game. The Spaniard’s Paint Control ability turns the rim into his territory into a no-fly zone. This unicorn is not built for speed. If he commits and misses, his recovery time isn’t great. Venice Beach is his home court.
Bobbito Garcia
Bobbito Garcia, aka Kool Bob Love / DJ Cucumber Slice, is the legendary voice of NBA The Run and the energy behind every knockout run. Known for iconic calls like Donqueooo and butter biscuits, he brings that same smooth rhythm to the court. When he’s on the mic, you can say every court is his homecourt.
Deadly from deep, silky with the ball. When In the Zone activates, his Ankle Breaker makes defenders go viral for all the wrong reasons. Just don’t ask Bob to defend, even he would tell you his offense more than makes up for his in-game skills on that side of the ball.
Why choose a Street Legend over an NBA star? Simple: raw power in specific skills. Most players cap out at one or two 6-star attributes. Street Legends break that rule with three 6-star ratings, making them the best-in-game specialists for their roles. If you want peak performance for a playstyle, you’re going to want to consider at least one on your squad. They’re rarer, powerful, and designed for players willing to take strategic risks for elite upside.
Take this example: El Gigante anchors defense while offensive stars like Brunson and Mitchell cook on the perimeter. Gigante protects the paint, triggers Paint Control, and turns stops into momentum swings. That’s a squad built to punish mistakes.
Ready to play?
So the question is simple: Which Street Legend are you running with? Will squads of all Legends take over the courts? We’ll see soon enough.
NBA The Run launches soon on June 9 for PS5 for $29.99. Join us in our Open Beta this weekend starting on May 30. Wishlist now on PlayStation Store and nbatherun.com.
We’ll keep evolving NBA The Run with community feedback beyond release. Join our Discord, bring your voice, and we’ll see you on the court very soon!