Victor Wembanyama will be the cover star of NBA 2K27, and SKWEEK takes a look back at the game’s iconic covers and the evolution of its legendary cover athletes.
“Wemby” has become one of the hottest names in basketball, and NBA 2K has rewarded his meteoric rise by making him the face of its latest edition. The French superstar reached the NBA Finals last season, and the game’s developers seized the opportunity to capitalize on his remarkable performances by placing him on the cover of one of the world’s most popular sports video games.
Being featured on the cover of NBA 2K is considered a major honor in the United States. It is a symbol of recognition, the ultimate marketing platform, and an image that often remains etched in fans’ memories for years.
The 22-year-old power forward/center will also become the first player in San Antonio Spurs history to grace the cover of the franchise, which has been on the market since 1999. In the 28-year history of NBA 2K, the Spurs had never produced a cover athlete for the globally successful video game.
Looking at the list of previous cover athletes only adds to the significance of Wembanyama’s achievement. A quick trip down memory lane includes Allen Iverson, Ben Wallace, Shaquille O’Neal, Chris Paul, Kevin Garnett, Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, Derrick Rose, Blake Griffin, Kevin Durant, LeBron James, Stephen Curry, James Harden, Anthony Davis, Paul George, Kyrie Irving, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Damian Lillard, Zion Williamson, Luka Dončić, Devin Booker, Jayson Tatum and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
The very best of yesterday’s legends and today’s superstars have all appeared on the cover of the iconic basketball game. In fact, many in the United States believe that becoming the face of NBA 2K is often a sign of even greater things to come, with cover athletes frequently enjoying outstanding individual seasons. That theory has proven true on several occasions, perhaps most notably in the case of Giannis Antetokounmpo.
The “Greek Freak” was the cover athlete for NBA 2K19 and, by 2021, had won two NBA MVP awards and led the Milwaukee Bucks to an NBA championship.
Could it now be Victor Wembanyama’s turn?