by Devon Jeffreys, September 11, 2012

Growing up as a sport gamer and basketball junkie, Deron Williams never even dreamed he'd have the chance to cover his own basketball video game.

But as the new interactive basketball game "NBA Baller Beats" arrives in stores today with D-Will on the cover, he couldn't be more excited to have the opportunity.

"It's definitely cool to see," he told the New York Post. "Being my first game cover, it's definitely cool, and it's a great game to be a part of."

NBA Baller Beats is a first of its kind game for Xbox 360 with Kinect that combines hip-hop music with the game of basketball as a means to keep gamers active while teaching the fundamental skills of dribbling the ball.

"Baller Beats is based around dribbling, [doing] different dribbling moves, so it makes sense they'd want to have a point guard on the cover," Deron said. "It's not just sitting and watching the TV. You're up, you're active, and you're learning real baller moves."

The game is loosely based on games like Dance Dance Revolution, Guitar Hero and Rock Band, in that it combines a musical soundtrack with an interactive element. But no sports game yet has gone where Baller Beats does, so when the idea was pitched to D-Will, he had to see it to believe it.

"Once I learned a little bit about the game, I wanted to see what it was about," he said. "I went into the studio, and got a chance to see it and play it a little bit and was really blown away by the game."

Growing up in Texas, Deron spent lots of time gaming and cites classics like Super Tecmo Bowl and Double Dragon among his favorites. But he spent even more time at recreation centers and in gyms dribbling the ball and developing the skills to be an elite basketball player. It's in those gyms that D-Will developed his sick crossover dribble, one of the best in the NBA. To be a part of a gaming franchise that combines two of his childhood passions was a no-brainer.

"When you're hearing the concept of it, it doesn't sound as good as when you see the game. It's very unique," he told the Post. "I really enjoy playing the game, I'm gonna enjoy playing the game."

Check out Deron playing the game with NBC's Bruce Beck below and get NBA Baller Beats, in stores now:

RELATED STORIES

• Nets' Deron scores as pitchman (The New York Post, September 11, 2012)
• Watch the NBA Baller Beats Opening Cinematic (The HD Room, September 10, 2012)
• NBA Baller Beats Launches For Xbox Kinect Tomorrow (Cinema Blend, September 10, 2012)
• D-Will Demos Baller Beats at E3 (DeronWilliams.com, June 11, 2012)