#NBA cover athlete

This marks the third time a Kentucky Wildcats alum has graced the cover of NBA 2K: Gilgeous‑Alexander follows Anthony Davis (NBA 2K20) and Devin Booker (NBA 2K23) as fellow Kentucky guards featured on the game’s cover. Reports also suggest that clubs like Caitlin Clark could headline a WNBA cover edition this year. This selection follows last year’s cover star, Jayson Tatum, who appeared on NBA 2K25 after leading the Celtics to the 2024 championship. Basketball legend and six-time NBA world champion Michael Jordan returns as the cover athlete of NBA 2K23's special editions. 2K announced that Jordan will appear on both cover of NBA 2K23 Michael Jordan Edition and the 'ultra-premium' NBA 2K23 Championship Edition, which the publisher confirmed with a release date on September 9. It makes sense that the latest NBA iteration makes Jordan who wears the jersey number 23 as the cover, but 2K also said Jordan matches the theme of this year's MyPlayer campaign mode: "Answer the call". 2K Games has announced that Kobe Bryant will be the third and final cover athlete of the upcoming NBA 2K21. Kobe will be one of three cover athletes for 2K21, alongside Damian Lillard and Zion Williamson, which will appear on their respective standard editions. Read more in our articles including "Shai Gilgeous‑Alexander Named Cover Athlete for NBA 2K26 After MVP & Championship Season" and "Michael Jordan returns as the cover athlete of NBA 2K23".