One solution would be to utilise the generic faces that are in the game for generated rookies:
https://www.nba-live.com/nbalivewiki/in ... _Face_ListThese could be placeholders until such time as a proper face is made for a player. It wouldn't be visually perfect, but it'd beat having no update at all, and as long as care is taken with ratings and whatnot, it would still be fun to play with. And again, if it's an ongoing project, those faces can be added as they're made, so it can improve along the way.
I'd suggest that'd be a more realistic way of getting things done at this juncture. Additionally, if something substantial is out there, that might encourage people to get involved with some art updates. If the project is nothing but unreleased potential, that enthusiasm likely won't be there.