NBA 2K10: Draft Combine is a tie-in game released almost two months before the full version of NBA 2K10 . Players create their own basketball hopeful from scratch, practicing drills and playing scrimmage games to improve their stats and ranking. They can then import their created player into the full version of NBA 2K10 to use in career mode.
The gameplay is structured around the real NBA Draft Combine in Chicago's Attack Athletics arena. The player's created basketballer plays with and against other rookies, trying to impress draft agents and follow their mentor's advice to improve their skills. The customization mode allows players to choose from a range of options, including physical appearance, clothing, and position, as well as different dribble and play styles.
Players earn skill points and ratings by completing eight drills and six games. Drills test the player's rebounding, shooting, stealing, and dribbling skills, with strong performances earning increased rankings and benefits. Games are practice games with specific achievements for each, such as getting a high shooting percentage. Meeting these achievements rewards large amounts of skill points.
Creating a character through Draft Combine boosts their draft stock and gives them more skill points when imported into the full game. Characters created in Draft Combine will also display a special patch on their uniform, signifying they completed the mode. Characters created solely in NBA 2K10 start as undrafted free agents with lesser skill points.
NBA 2K10: Draft Combine was released for the Xbox 360 console on October 6th, 2009.