Actor Tye White has been featured in both NBA 2K21 and NBA 2K22 as the voice of Junior. In 2K21, we follow Junior’s journey from a high school prospect living in his father Duke’s shadow in My Player Career Mode.
After the first high school game, he runs into his father’s Archie Baldwin played by the late, great Michael K Williams who turns out to be an agent. Later in the storyline you are presented to sign with Baldwin or with a major agent. As you are preparing to enter the NBA Draft on the game.
In a recent interview with White, he shared how the opportunity to work with NBA 2K presented itself.
“Well, first and foremost, I’m a big fan of 2K and growing up I was a Hooper. So, I played ball and my experience with games go all the way back to NBA Live 95. Then I switched over to NBA 2K and had been playing that forever too. So, it was like when the opportunity to be ‘My Player,’ I had to audition. Then I met with the director after I auditioned and Chris Paperniak, who is the director of almost every 2k really hit it off, and had a great working relationship, and he hired me for the gig,” said White.
“Our relationship is so dope that we really like collaborating with each other that he asked me to come back for 2K22. Even though I was not longer the ‘My Player,’ just to come back and I think he and I will continue to collaborate as the year’s go on.”
White also talked about what it was like to work with Michael K. Williams.
“Michael K Williams was one of the most generous actors that I have ever worked with, and that does not just mean on screen. It also means outside of it as well. I told this story on Instagram how he helped me with an audition like 5:30 in the morning. It was also a work day, so we had to go to work after that. He helped me, I had a screen test kind of like this and had to do an audition because It had to be in LA, and we were shooting in San Francisco. I couldn’t get back there, so he said I will be your reader. He got up at 5:30 in the morning and Michael & I were just starting to build our relationship big brother and little brother. And he is sorely missed.”
White added, “He had so many jewels that I learned from him. Everyone looked up to him and inspired to be like him. Rest his soul and I am grateful to have met him because one of the greatest things he taught me was to be is generous and pay it forward.”
Earlier this year, the actor most notably known for his role as Omar Little on ‘The Wire’ — was found dead of a suspected heroin overdose, according to the New York Post.
In the past, the Emmy-nominated actor talked about his personal struggles with drugs.
“I use my job to engage empathy and compassion for people society might stereotype or ostracize,” he told the Guardian in 2015.
“No one wakes up and says, ‘I’m going to become a drug dealer’ or ‘I’m going to become a stickup kid.’ No. There is a series of events that makes them feel this is the only way out. As a black man growing up in the ’hood, I bear witness to some of those events.”
We like to send our condolences to Williams and his family.
About the Author
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.
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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.
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