September 29 is shaping up to be a big day for street basketball fans. Play By Play Studios has confirmed the full roster of legends arriving in NBA THE RUN as part of the Wave One update, and the five names on that list are about as good as it gets for anyone who grew up watching the Association in the early 2000s.
The five players headlining Wave One
Allen Iverson (76ers), Vince Carter (Raptors), Kevin Garnett (Timberwolves), Tracy McGrady (Magic), and Dirk Nowitzki (Mavericks) are all confirmed for the September 29 drop. That is a genuinely impressive first wave. Iverson and McGrady were two of the most electrifying scorers of that era, Vince Carter was doing things above the rim that people still argue about, KG brought an intensity to every possession that translated perfectly to street ball, and Dirk's footwork was unlike anything the game had seen.
Here's the thing about this lineup: Play By Play Studios could have gone safe with recognizable names that don't carry much weight with actual basketball fans. They didn't. Every player on this list was either an MVP, a Finals champion, or a player who defined how the position was played during that era.
How to unlock them and what it costs
Each legend can be unlocked for 5,000 CRED, which is the in-game currency you earn through regular play. All five can also be purchased together for $9.99 if you'd rather skip the grind. That's a reasonable ask for five players of this caliber, and the earn-through-play option means free-to-play players aren't completely locked out.
If you want to know how each legend fits into the game's existing roster before the update lands, the NBA The Run Street Legends guide breaks down Zone Abilities, strengths, and how each character plays.
What else is dropping with Wave One
The legends are only part of the story. Wave One is described as the biggest update NBA The Run has received since its June launch, and the patch notes aren't even out yet. What's already confirmed includes a new New York City court, Drive Cam and Drive Cam flip camera options, a practice mode, new dunk animations, new ball control moves, driving layups, and new rulesets.
Practice mode alone is something players have been waiting on. Getting reps in before taking things online is basic functionality, and its arrival alongside a roster expansion makes sense timing-wise. The new NYC court adds to the existing street court variety, and the camera options give players more control over how the game feels moment to moment.
Full patch notes will be published before September 29. A single-player campaign mode is also confirmed as a future addition, though no release window has been given for that yet.
NBA The Run is currently available on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. If you're still getting up to speed on the game's systems before Wave One arrives, the NBA The Run guides collection covers everything from character unlocks to Zone Abilities.
