With Summer League in full swing, 2K revealed the NBA 2K27 cover athlete. And well, there are three of them! The announcement shared each NBA 2K27 cover athlete and their corresponding cover, which will be based on the game edition bought. The three stars who will serve as the game’s face are Victor Wembanyama, Caitlin Clark, and Derrick Rose.
“Victor Wembanyama, Caitlin Clark, and Derrick Rose each come from different worlds, but they share the same obsession that has altered the trajectory of the game,” said Zak Armitage, SVP & GM of NBA 2K, in a press release.
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This lineup brings together three players who have been described as generation-defining. Additionally, all three of the cover athletes share the rare distinction of being No. 1 overall draft picks and Rookie of the Year winners. And for those waiting to see gameplay? NBA 2K27’s official gameplay trailer is premiering Tuesday, July 28, 2026.
About last year’s edition of NBA 2K, we said, “NBA 2K26 combines improved visuals with some important tweaks to keep the series feeling fresh. It still feels like the same old basketball experience, but the fresh coat of paint and greased wheels make it more fun to play and will have players coming back for more.”
Watch the Cover Reveal
Standard Edition 2K27 Cover Athlete: Victor Wembanyama
“Wembanyama has broken the mold for what a big man can be and keeps breaking it,” said Armitage. The San Antonio Spurs Power Forward/Center, Victor Wembanyama, is just in the third year of his career. Carrying record-breaking stat lines that put him in line with greats like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Manute Bol, Shaquille O’Neal, and Spurs legends Tim Duncan, Wembanyama led his young team all the way to the NBA Finals.
While the Spurs could only pull off one win in their Finals run against the New York Knicks, Wembanyama (affectionately dubbed The Alien by fans) still left the season as the Western Conference Champion, Western Conference MVP, and the first unanimous Defensive Player of the Year.
But most importantly, despite having won five titles in 15 years, the San Antonio Spurs have never made the cover of an NBA 2K game. Now, as the new generation of Spurs take hold of the NBA, Victor Wembanyama also has the honor of being the first Spurs player to grace the cover, as an NBA 2K27 cover athlete.
“When you’re truly obsessed with basketball, the game doesn’t stop when you leave the arena. NBA 2K is the court that never locks up, it’s always open whether you’re in Paris or San Antonio. It’s how you study the game, sharpen your IQ, and live basketball 24/7,” said Standard Edition cover athlete Victor Wembanyama in the same press release from 2K.
“To be the face of a game that fuels that hunger for hoops and whose covers immortalize the all-time greats, that’s a dream come true for me.”
Deluxe Edition 2K27 Cover Athlete: Caitlin Clark
After a record-breaking college career, Caitlin Clark hasn’t lost that spark. About Clark’s choice for the Deluxe Edition, Armitage said, “Clark is pulling up from the logo, not just redefining what range looks like, but the women’s game entirely.”
A Guard for the Indiana Fever, Caitlin Clark is the first WNBA player featured on her own global NBA 2K premium cover. While it may be a big moment for Clark, it’s also a big moment for the women’s game as the spotlight continues to shine brighter on it.
“Being on the cover of NBA 2K27 is special because this game reaches fans all over the world,” Caitlin Clark commented. “To be the first WNBA player on her own global cover means women’s basketball gets to show up on that stage too, and I am proud to be part of that.”
Clark, the 2024 Kia WNBA Rookie of the Year, is a three-time WNBA All-Star. She is also the first Fever player on an NBA 2K cover.
Ultra Edition 2K27 Cover Athlete: Derrick Rose
When it came to choosing Derrick Rose, Armitage said, “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.”
A Chicago Bulls legend, Derrick Rose is a three-time NBA All-Star and the youngest MVP in NBA history. But this isn’t the first time that Rose has been on a cover for the NBA 2K series. This marks Rose’s second time gracing an NBA 2K cover, following his appearance on NBA 2K13.
“It’s crazy looking back at being on the NBA 2K13 cover to now having my own edition for NBA 2K27,” said Derrick Rose. “During my journey there have been coaches who believed in me, teammates who made me better, and fans who showed up louder than I ever expected. So, this is a chance to inspire young athletes to stay obsessed with the game. To show them that when you put in the countless hours of hard work, it rewards you.”
Can we pre-order NBA 2K27?
With the announcement of the cover athletes, NBA 2K27 also announced that it is now available for pre-order on PS5, XBOX Series X|S, and PC, and to wish list on Nintendo Switch 2.
The three editions of the game include:
Standard Edition – $69.99
- Cover Athlete: Victor Wembanyama
- Base Game
- Access begins September 4, 2026
Deluxe Edition – $99.99
- Cover Athlete: Caitlin Clark
- 100,000 VC
- MyCAREER content (25x 6 Types of Skill Boosts, 25x 3 Types of Gatorade Boosts, Victor Wembanyama Jersey, Caitlin Clark Jersey, and a 2HR 2XP Coin (MyCAREER))
- MyTEAM content: Full ’27: Series 1 Team Selection, Triple Threat Park Free Agent Pack, 5x ’27: Series 1 Packs, and a 2HR 2XP Coin (MyTEAM))
- Includes Early Access starting on August 28, 2026, up to one week before worldwide release.
Ultra Edition – $149.99
- Limited availability through September 6, 2026:
- Cover Athlete: Derrick Rose
- Everything in the Deluxe Edition
- 35,000 VC
- Season 1 Pro Pass
- Summer Season Pass Pro Pass Bundle (Seasons 7–9 Pro Pass, releasing in Summer 2027)
- Roses Oversize Hoodie in MyCAREER
- Premium SKU MyTEAM Player Cards, which includes a guaranteed 98 OVR card (December 2026) and a guaranteed Invincible card (May 2027).
- NBA 2K26 players who pre-order NBA 2K27 Ultra Edition on the same platform will receive a 10% discount
- Includes Early Access beginning August 28, 2026, up to one week before worldwide release.
What is the NBA 2K27 release date?
NBA 2K27 launches September 4 across PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC via Steam, and Nintendo Switch 2. Deluxe Edition or Ultra Edition owners on PS5, XBX|S, PC won’t have to wait as long, since Early Access begins on Friday, August 28, 2026, 9:00 AM PDT.
