NBA 2K27 cover athletes: Why Victor Wembanyama, Caitlin Clark were chosen for 2026 video game

Victor Wembanyama and Caitlin Clark's careers have already taken them to heights few have achieved at their tender age. On Wednesday, the Spurs superstar and Fever standout added another notch on their glint belts, becoming the leading faces of basketball's biggest virtual simulation.

Visual Concepts announced that Wembanyama and Clark were selected to grace the covers of NBA 2K27's standard and deluxe editions, respectively. They'll be joined by Derrick Rose, who will serve as the ultra edition's cover athlete.

Fresh off of his first NBA Finals appearance, Wembanyama is well on his way to world domination - at least as far as basketball is concerned. His ascendancy to the front of the sport's standalone video game follows that trend.

The same can be said for Clark, who has already staked a claim as one of the WNBA's greatest-ever producers at the point guard position three years into her career.

With that, here's what you need to know about NBA 2K's decision to name Wembanyama and Clark its cover athletes in 2026.

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Victor Wembanyama chosen as NBA 2K27 cover athlete

Wembanyama added to his glittering list of accolades by earning the NBA 2K27 cover nod, beating out multiple standout candidates, including Anthony Edwards, Cade Cunningham and Finals MVP Jalen Brunson to land the prize.

It's a richly-deserved honor for Wembanyama, who, at 22 years old, became the second-youngest athlete to grace NBA 2K's cover behind Zion Williamson (NBA 2K21).

Wembanyama averaged career highs in points (25.0) and rebounds (11.5) while leading the league in blocks per game (3.1) for the third year running. He was subsequently awarded Defensive Player of the Year honors, becoming the first player to earn the prize via unanimous selection.

The Frenchman was similarly productive in postseason play, earning Western Conference Finals MVP honors as the Spurs returned to the Finals for the first time since 2014.

Wembanyama wasn't able to hoist the sport's grandest trophy - San Antonio fell to the Knicks in the series. However, Wembanyama's displays throughout the postseason cemented his status as one of the sport's truest stars - and a potential heir to the title of the league's best player.

Visual Concepts appears to be banking on Wembanyama's burgeoning marketability shining through. He was arguably the sport's biggest star during the postseason, transfixing onlookers with his ball-handling, dexterity and willow-like frame.

Wembanyama is undoubtedly one of the league's biggest superstars. His appearance on the NBA 2K27 cover figures to add to that impressive reputation.

Caitlin Clark chosen as NBA 2K27 deluxe edition cover athlete

Wembanyama wasn't the only hardwood maven to appear on 2K's latest release. Fever phenom Caitlin Clark picked up the honor as the video game's deluxe edition cover athlete, joining Candace Parker, Diana Taurasi, Sue Bird, Sabrina Ionescu, A'ja Wilson and Angel Reese as WNBA players to land the accolade.

Like Wembanyama, it's hard to argue Clark isn't fully-deserving of the accolade. The former No. 1 pick is a three-time All-Star and former Rookie of the Year winner. She is enjoying another solid campaign for Indiana, who sit second in the Eastern Conference after 26 games.

Clark is one of basketball's finest playmakers and can prove a devastating shot-creator on her day. Anointed by many to be the next face of the WNBA upon her arrival into the league's shores in 2023, Clark is arguably the WNBA's best point guard. She is well on her way to landing another All-WNBA appearance in 2026.

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NBA 2K covers by year

Released annually since 1999, NBA 2K has eluded all competitors to become the standalone basketball video game released across major video game platforms.

That's not necessarily a good thing; iterations of the game have been rife with issues, including server problems and Visual Concepts' penchant to coax money out of gamers via micro-transactions.

No athlete has appeared on the cover more than 1996 NBA Draft alums Allen Iverson and Kobe Bryant, who flashed their countenance on the video game five times apiece.

Here's a look at the athletes who have appeared on NBA 2K's standard editions over the years:

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