Call of Duty is making waves beyond gaming, with Black Ops 6 reigning as October’s top game in the U.S. and the third best-seller of 2024, and even sparking creativity in the University of Kentucky’s basketball team.
The Kentucky Wildcats, still undefeated at 5-0 and ranked 8th, have a secret weapon: “Ball of Duty.” Senior guard Koby Brea talked about it during a press conference, sharing how their training takes inspiration from Call of Duty. He mentioned, “We start to see more clips on film of how connected our team is defensively. How many kills we’re getting–you know, three stops in a row.” This fun twist encourages players to see defensive stops as “kills,” making it a game within the game.
Fans often find joy in seeing how creativity can enhance sports, and this is one of those moments.
By framing defensive plays as video game victories, the coaches have cleverly motivated the team to improve their defense. If it helps them win, it’s definitely a win-win situation.
When they’re not dribbling on the court, players can enjoy the new Black Ops 6 Zombies map in December or take on a new adventure as a gun-wielding raccoon in the latest DLC. Meanwhile, whispers about a 2027 Call of Duty game are circulating, and Microsoft is stepping up with a committee to steer the franchise’s direction.
