Victor Wembanyama becomes first Spurs player on NBA 2K cover

The rumors are true - NBA 2K27's cover athlete is none other than the "alien" himself, Victor Wembanyama, according to an NBA insider. 

ESPN senior NBA insider Shams Charania confirmed the news per his sources on Wednesday morning, July 22, after weeks of rumors swirling around this year's edition. It marks the first time a Spurs player has landed himself as the cover athlete for the game's standard global edition, according to Bleacher Report. Other Spurs have only snagged international-exclusive covers, like Tony Parker on the French edition of 2K16 and Pau Gasol on the Spanish version of 2K17. 

Needless to say, it's the cherry on top for a historic season, although it didn't end with a ring. Throughout the 2025-26 season, Wemby's highlights were consistently viral, from half-court shots and unlikely blocks to getting emotional after advancing to the Finals. So viral, in fact, that he got a shout-out from Barack Obama himself. He also became the league's first unanimous Defensive Player of the Year and earned his first 1st-team All-NBA selection. Without wearing the word out, this was a season of firsts.

Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark and former Chicago Bulls player Derrick Rose will be on the deluxe and ultra editions, respectively. In a news release, NBA 2K Senior Vice President and General Manager Zak Armitage said the three athletes "each come from different worlds, but they share the same obsession that has altered the trajectory of the game."

 "Wembanyama has broken the mold for what a big man can be and keeps breaking it," Armitage said. "Clark is pulling up from the logo, not just redefining what range looks like, but the women's game entirely. And Rose changed what it meant to be a point guard -- explosive, physical, unstoppable -- and when faced with setbacks, his hunger for the game is what brought him back."

However, not all fans are happy with the news. Under Charania's post, many commenters felt that the cover should've gone to Jalen Brunson of the New York Knicks, seeing as he ended the season as an NBA champion - and because last year's standard cover featured 2025 Finals MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

Oh, well. One commenter called Wembanyama "the face of the league," and he may just be on his way. According to ESPN, the standard edition with Wemby will drop September 4 and early access for deluxe and ultra editions begins August 28.

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