SerpApi.Org
Landing on the cover of an NBA 2K game has become one of the NBA players’ best milestones. That is a sign a player has become one of the faces of the league and a global ambassador for the sport.
Victor Wembanyama’s selection as the cover athlete for NBA 2K27 only reinforces how quickly the French phenom has taken over the NBA. At just 22 years old, Wembanyama becomes the second-youngest player ever to receive the honor.
With a list that includes guaranteed Hall of Famers, here’s a look at the 10 youngest players to ever earn the cover of an NBA 2K game.
10. Devin Booker – 25 Years Old (NBA 2K23)
By the time Devin Booker landed on the cover of NBA 2K23, he was already one of the league’s premier scorers with seven seasons played in the league while making two All-Star Teams. Leading the Phoenix Suns to the NBA Finals in 2021 and establishing himself as a perennial All-Star, Booker had officially entered superstar territory.
His smooth offensive game and growing popularity made him an easy choice for 2K. At just 25 years old, Booker represented the league’s next generation of elite guards while becoming the first Phoenix Suns player to headline a standard edition cover.
9. Blake Griffin – 25 Years Old (NBA 2K13)
Few players in NBA history burst onto the NBA scene like Blake Griffin.
After missing his true rookie season with an injury, Griffin immediately became one of basketball’s biggest attractions, and his popularity skyrocketed almost overnight. He had completed two seasons by the time NBA 2K13 came out, making two straight All-Star Teams and winning Rookie of the Year.
That made his appearance alongside Kevin Durant and Derrick Rose on the NBA 2K13 cover an easy decision. Griffin wasn’t just producing All-Star numbers (20.7 PPG, 10.9 RPG, 3.2 APG in 2011-12); he had become must-watch TV every time he stepped onto the floor.
8. Kevin Durant – 24 Years Old (NBA 2K13)
Kevin Durant reached superstardom remarkably early in his career. Already one of the NBA’s most unstoppable scorers before turning 25, Durant had captured three scoring titles and made three All-NBA First Teams while emerging as the face of the Oklahoma City Thunder.
His effortless offensive game made him one of basketball’s most recognizable stars worldwide. His inclusion on NBA 2K13 and eventual solo cover for NBA 2K15 (26 years old) reflected that incredible rise as one of the best athletes in the universe.
Even at 24, Durant had already built a resume that was Hall of Fame-worthy. Just two 2K covers later, Durant would be the MVP of the league.
7. Derrick Rose – 24 Years Old (NBA 2K13)
Derrick Rose‘s rise was unlike anything the NBA had seen. After becoming the youngest MVP in league history at just 22 years old, Rose transformed the Chicago Bulls into legitimate championship contenders.
A year after winning MVP, Rose only played 39 games before his knee gave out, although he made the All-Star Team, and that was enough to get him on a cover.
Rose captivated fans with his breathtaking athleticism and fearless attacking style. Although injuries would unfortunately alter the trajectory of his career and we didn’t know to what extent at the time, Rose’s appearance on the NBA 2K13 cover is a snapshot of one of basketball’s brightest peaks.
6. Allen Iverson – 24 Years Old (NBA 2K)
Before NBA 2K became the world’s premier basketball video game, Allen Iverson helped put the franchise on the map.
The Philadelphia 76ers superstar became the face of the original NBA 2K after establishing himself as one of the league’s most electrifying scorers by winning his first scoring title (26.7 PPG) and making the All-NBA First Team.
Iverson would eventually become synonymous with the franchise, appearing on multiple early editions (including 2K2) as NBA 2K grew into a global phenomenon.
5. Luka Doncic – 22 Years Old (NBA 2K22)
Luka Doncic didn’t need much time to become one of basketball’s biggest stars. Within three NBA seasons, the Slovenian sensation had already accumulated two All-NBA selections, two All-Star selections, and won Rookie of the Year while drawing comparisons to some of the game’s greatest players.
By age 22, Doncic was already considered one of the faces of the NBA, making his NBA 2K22 cover selection feel inevitable. It is still crazy to remember that he isn’t wearing a Dallas Mavericks uniform anymore, because his start in the league was one of the best ever.
4. Anthony Davis – 22 Years Old (NBA 2K16)
Anthony Davis earned his first cover after one of the fastest superstar ascensions in recent memory. The former No. 1 overall pick had already established himself as arguably the NBA’s best young big man after three seasons, becoming a one-of-one in terms of all-around skills for his size.
Davis made two All-Star Teams, finishing top-10 in DPOY voting twice, and leading the league in blocks in only three seasons. At the time, we felt that this was the second coming of a Tim Duncan-like star in terms of impact.
At only 22 years old, Davis represented the future of the center position, and NBA 2K rewarded him accordingly. It is amazing how Davis was on the cover of arguably the best 2K game of all time.
3. Chris Paul – 22 Years Old (NBA 2K8)
Chris Paul became one of the youngest cover athletes ever after completely transforming the New Orleans Hornets with only two seasons played in the NBA.
Following an outstanding sophomore campaign, Paul had already established himself as arguably the NBA’s best pure point guard. His elite passing, leadership, and defensive instincts turned New Orleans into the team to watch in the stacked Western Conference.
Even at just 22 years old, Paul played like a seasoned veteran, making him a fitting choice to represent the NBA 2K franchise. We knew what Paul was going to turn into, as he would finish top-two in MVP voting a year later.
2. Victor Wembanyama – 22 Years Old (NBA 2K27)
Victor Wembanyama needed only three NBA seasons to become one of the league’s biggest global icons.
The French superstar has lived up to every ounce of unprecedented hype, winning Defensive Player of the Year by leading the league in blocks three times, making two All-Star Teams, and making the NBA Finals already. By age 22, he had already positioned himself as the driving force of the league’s future.
His NBA 2K27 cover honors reflect more than individual success. We all acknowledge that Wembanyama has become the face of the NBA’s next generation. The only player to receive the honor at a younger age was arguably the most disappointing star of this generation.
1. Zion Williamson – 20 Years Old (NBA 2K21)
No player has reached the cover of NBA 2K faster than Zion Williamson, fair or not. Despite playing just 24 games during his rookie season, Williamson’s unprecedented athleticism and worldwide popularity made him one of the NBA’s biggest attractions almost immediately.
The excitement surrounding Zion was unlike anything the league had experienced since LeBron James entered the NBA.
At only 20 years old, Zion became the youngest cover athlete in franchise history, a record that still stands today. While injuries have prevented him from fully realizing his immense potential, his NBA 2K21 cover remains a testament to just how quickly he became one of basketball’s biggest stars.
