Actress Lara Heller to Be Featured in NBA 2K20
2K Sports released the official trailer for NBA 2k20, My Player Career mode. Idris Elba, Rosario Dawson, and Thomas Middleditch appeared in the “When The Lights Are Brightest trailer,” which was directed by Sheldon Candis, who directed Baltimore Boys, which is part of the ESPN 30 for 30 series.
According to Peter White of Deadline.com, the trailer was released during Microsoft’s Inside Xbox show at Gamescon in Cologne, Germany.
Elba will appear in this year’s installment of NBA 2k as a coach, while Dawson stars as a player adviser, and Middleditch as an agent. Other familiar faces that appear in the trailer are Mark Cuban, Ernie Hudson, Lamorne Morris, Scottie Pippen, LeBron James, and Maverick Carter.
NBA 2k20 is scheduled to drop next month, James and Carter executive produced this year’s version. It was produced by Springhill Entertainment in collaboration with 2K Studios & Visual Concepts & Happy Mushroom. Jamal Henderson and Eric Oberland will also be a part of the project as producers, and the screenplay by Taylor Materne.
Deadline spoke with Candis and shared that this year’s version is will continue More Than An Athlete’ dialogue.
“Imagine if LeBron had went to college and he spoke out against the system when his close friend gets injured and the university pulls the kid’s scholarship. This year’s story furthers the ‘More Than An Athlete’ societal mission. It’s been my greatest experience working with our actors and deep-diving into the world of Motion Capture. This year’s cinematic narrative story is a piece of emotional pop culture with a special social activism thematic.”
Someone else that will be part of this year’s game will be actress Lara Heller, who has been featured in movies such as Breaking the Bank, Troy the Odyssey, and her upcoming project Synth, which is post-production. She is also a former figure skater that represented Luxembourg and Germany. Earlier today, Heller posted on Instagram that she loved being a part of the NBA 2K.
Back in May, Heller shared with me that she was working on a video game, but could not reveal any details at the time spoke along with some other projects.
I just shot a video game, which will be out in September. I just shot a film called Always A Bridesmaid, and I play a French character called Lily. That was also a fun film to be a part of for me.
Landon Buford is an accomplished sports and entertainment journalist based in Richardson, Texas, with over a decade of experience covering the NBA, WNBA, NFL, WWE, MLB, and the entertainment industry. Known for delivering high-impact stories and headline-making interviews, Buford has earned a global audience through content that blends insider access with compelling storytelling.
He previously served as director of editorial and brand communications at PlayersTV, where he helped shape the platform’s editorial voice and brand identity. He is also the founder and editor-in-chief of LandonBuford.com—an independent outlet with more than 1.6 million views and syndication from major platforms including Bleacher Report, Sports Illustrated and Yahoo Sports. Buford’s interviews with stars like Gary Payton, Kevin Durant, Mark Cuban and Chris Paul showcase his talent for meaningful, in-depth conversations.
His bylines have appeared in Sports Illustrated, Forbes, Heavy.com, Meta’s Bulletin and One37pm, where he has contributed exclusive interviews, breaking news and cultural insights. At Heavy.com, his work drew more than a million views in just eight months, and at One37pm, it contributed to record-breaking traffic numbers.
His work highlights the intersection of sports, fashion, music, and entrepreneurship—showcasing how athletes and entertainers use their platforms to inspire change, influence trends, and shape culture beyond the game. Landon has interviewed a wide range of figures from the NBA, NFL, and entertainment industries, consistently bringing authentic voices and untold stories to the forefront.
In addition to his journalism, Buford is an entrepreneur and content creator, dedicated to amplifying diverse narratives and driving meaningful conversations across media platforms. His passion for storytelling, culture, and innovation continues to make him a respected voice in the evolving landscape of sports and entertainment media.
