NBA THE RUN adds Dybantsa Peterson and Boozer as the 2026 rookie class hits the streets

NBA THE RUN is bringing the top of the 2026 NBA Draft straight into its arcade streetball playground. The next game update, arriving Tuesday, July 21, adds A.J. Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson and Cameron Boozer to the roster, giving players a chance to run with the first three picks of this year’s draft after their strong Summer League debuts.

The top three picks join the next update

The update gives NBA THE RUN a direct link to the league’s newest generation. A.J. Dybantsa enters as the No. 1 pick of the Washington Wizards, Darryn Peterson arrives as the No. 2 pick of the Utah Jazz, and Cameron Boozer joins as the No. 3 pick of the Memphis Grizzlies.

That is a smart roster move for a game built around momentum, style and immediate star power. NBA THE RUN launched with established NBA names, rookie variants and streetball legends, but adding the newest draft class so quickly gives the game a more current feel. These are not nostalgic throwbacks or hypothetical future stars. They are the league’s incoming faces, added while their Summer League performances are still fresh.

Each rookie will be unlockable in The Shop for 5,000 CRED at rank 25, which fits the game’s existing progression structure. CRED is earned by playing matches, and shop purchases are direct rather than pack-based. That makes this update straightforward: play, earn currency, reach the required rank and unlock the rookies.

Dybantsa brings all-court scoring

A.J. Dybantsa is being positioned as the most complete scorer of the group. The official update describes him as having the size, athleticism and offensive versatility to score from anywhere. His Zone Ability, Going Off, increases offensive ratings for shots, dunks, handles and passes.

That makes him sound like the most flexible rookie in the update. In a fast 3v3 arcade game, a player who can attack from multiple levels is valuable because possessions move quickly and defensive matchups change constantly. Dybantsa’s kit appears designed for players who want to create without being locked into one action: attack the rim, pull up, handle in space, or punish a rotating defense with a pass.

His Summer League debut supports that framing. Dybantsa opened his professional showcase with a 27-point performance against Utah, outdueling Peterson in a matchup between the top two picks. For NBA THE RUN, that is exactly the kind of real-world heat that makes a digital roster addition feel timely.

Peterson adds range and control

Darryn Peterson enters with a different profile. The update describes him as cool under pressure, with effortless range and smooth handles. His Zone Ability, Deep Threat, reduces distance and guard penalties when shooting.

That is a clear role: Peterson is built to punish space. In NBA THE RUN’s arcade format, long-range shooting can stretch defenses and force opponents to defend higher up the court, opening lanes for cuts, drives and alley-oops. If Deep Threat meaningfully improves shooting under pressure, Peterson could become a strong pick for players who want to control tempo from the perimeter.

His Summer League work has already shown that blend of scoring and playmaking. Peterson posted 25 points and 12 assists in a win over Memphis, a performance that also put him directly opposite Boozer. That gives the update a useful narrative layer: the top rookies are not only joining the same game, they have already started building real NBA rivalries.

Boozer gives teams power passing and shooting

Cameron Boozer may be the most balanced frontcourt option of the three. The official update highlights his combination of power, pure shooting and elite court vision. His Zone Ability, Dropping Dimes, increases pass rating and speed while giving the receiving player a shot-rating boost.

That makes Boozer especially interesting in a 3v3 environment. He is not being treated simply as a bruising big. His ability is designed around creating better looks for teammates, which could make him valuable in squads built around cutters, shooters or high-flying finishers.

The real-world version of Boozer has already shown that kind of multi-skill profile. In Summer League against Utah, he finished with 18 points, seven rebounds and four assists. That is the kind of line that translates cleanly into NBA THE RUN’s identity: power, production and playmaking in one package.

The July update goes beyond three rookies

The rookie additions are the headline, but the July 21 update is broader than a roster drop. The official preview also confirms a new Block Party ruleset, where all blocks subtract one point from the other team’s score. That fits NBA THE RUN’s stated design philosophy: defense should feel as loud and powerful as offense.

The update also includes improved AI behavior, new unique animations for players, alley-oops, putback dunks and more, plus bug fixes, polish, gameplay tuning and balancing. Those changes matter because NBA THE RUN is still early in its life cycle. Roster additions bring attention, but better AI, smoother animations and tighter balance are what keep players queuing after the novelty fades.

The developers also acknowledged one common community request: players who changed NBA teams will not receive their new uniforms in this update, but that work is in progress. That kind of transparency is useful for a sports game that needs to stay aligned with the real league calendar.

A strong update for a young arcade basketball platform

The Rookie Mixtape update is a clean win for NBA THE RUN because it connects the game to the present moment in basketball. Dybantsa, Peterson and Boozer are not just future names. They are already the headline rookies of the 2026 class, already generating Summer League discussion, and now already playable in a game built around fast 3v3 style.

For players, the choice should be immediate. Pick Dybantsa if you want an all-purpose offensive weapon. Pick Peterson if you want range, handles and shot creation. Pick Boozer if you want a powerful connector who can score and elevate teammates.

NBA THE RUN is still proving how far its arcade basketball revival can go, but this update does exactly what a live sports game needs to do: move with the league, capture the hype and put the next stars on the court while the conversation is still hot.

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