This week has been a big one for EA Sports as on Monday, it was confirmed that EA College Basketball will be returning. Last summer, EA brought back its college football franchise with College Football 25. The game was a big hit and is returning again this year with College Football 26. The new game will be released on July 10. Now, fans will be able to look forward to the release of EA College Basketball.
“Bring the Madness. Let’s run it back,” EA Sports captioned their post on X.
Bring the Madness. Let’s run it back. #CBB #ItsInTheGame pic.twitter.com/iBNhGxn2yj
— EA SPORTS (@EASPORTS) June 30, 2025
However, fans will not be able to get their hands on an EA College Basketball game immediately. While a six-year contract was signed, the first new iteration in the franchise will not be released until 2028. With that in mind, here is a look at five athletes who could be on the cover when the franchise returns.
Top 5 Athletes for the Upcoming EA College Basketball
#1 Baba Oladotun
If the next EA College Basketball game is released in 2028, the cover athlete will likely be a star from the 2027-28 college basketball season. According to 247Sports, the No. 1-ranked recruit in the 2027 class is small forward Baba Oladotun. Although rankings can change a lot in two years, Oladotun is likely to be one of the top players in his class.
With a strong freshman season, he could be on the cover. This would follow a similar trend to College Football 26, where Jeremiah Smith and Ryan Williams were made the cover athletes after strong freshman seasons.
We MIC’D UP #1 ranked Baba Oladotun and he dropped a smooth 23 at NBPA Top 100 🔥👀@Top100Camp @TheNBPA @babaoladotun_ pic.twitter.com/KnIAUukJoA
— SLAM HS Hoops (@SLAM_HS) June 12, 2025
#2 Bruce Branch III
Another strong contender from the 2027 class is Bruce Branch III. The small forward from Florida is the No. 2-ranked player in his recruiting class and could be in the mix to be the cover athlete in 2028.
#3 Tyran Stokes
If EA chooses to go with a non-freshman for its cover athlete, a top athlete from the 2026 class could be an option. A year out from the class being finalized, Tyran Stokes is the No. 1-ranked player in his class. There is a chance that Stokes could already be in the NBA by the time College Basketball 28 comes out, but if he plays more than one college season, he could be a strong cover athlete candidate.
Incoming HS Senior Tyran Stokes had a Triple Double, Playing in Fiba U19 vs Jordan today..
19 PTS (9-11 FG)
11 REBS
10 AST
7 STLSWhat college would you like to see him at after his SR season… pic.twitter.com/uJ9sTKh6Kg
— Frankie Vision (@Frankie_Vision) July 2, 2025
#4 Jordan Smith
Jordan Smith is the No. 2-ranked player in the 2026 class and would be another interesting option for the cover. If Stokes declares for the NBA after his freshman season and Smith does not, Smith could be the first EA College Basketball cover athlete in over a decade.
#5 Marcus Spears Jr.
Another candidate from the 2027 class is power forward Marcus Spears Jr. He is the No. 3-ranked player in his class, behind Oladotun and Branch. Two years out from his draft class, there is a decent chance he could emerge as the best player in his class and become an EA cover athlete.
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