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NBA 2K27 Cover Athletes Bring Together Three Generations of Basketball
2K and Visual Concepts have revealed the cover athletes for NBA 2K27, with Victor Wembanyama, Caitlin Clark, and Derrick Rose each fronting a different edition of this year’s basketball sim.
Wembanyama, the San Antonio Spurs centre and NBA Defensive Player of the Year, will appear on the Standard Edition. Clark, the Indiana Fever guard and one of the biggest names in women’s basketball, leads the Deluxe Edition. Rose, the Chicago Bulls legend and youngest MVP in NBA history, will be celebrated on the limited-time Ultra Edition.
It is a strong cover trio because each athlete represents a different kind of basketball obsession. Wembanyama is the future-facing superstar still stretching what a modern big can look like. Clark brings the WNBA’s growing cultural pull to a global cover. Rose gives long-time players a nostalgia hit, especially for those who remember him fronting NBA 2K13.
Caitlin Clark Gets Her Own Global Cover
Clark’s Deluxe Edition cover is arguably the most significant part of the reveal. While WNBA athletes have appeared on previous NBA 2K covers, Clark being positioned on her own global edition gives women’s basketball a bigger stage within the franchise’s main annual rollout. That matters for a series with global reach, especially as the WNBA continues to pull in new audiences.
Her inclusion also makes sense from a marketing standpoint. Clark has become one of basketball’s most recognisable current players, and her deep shooting, crowd impact, and crossover appeal fit the year’s wider theme of players who have changed how people watch the game.
Derrick Rose Headlines the Ultra Edition
Rose’s Ultra Edition feels designed for long-time basketball fans. His career has been defined by both explosive highs and painful setbacks, making him one of the most emotionally resonant cover choices 2K Games could have made.
The Ultra Edition is also limited in availability through September 6, giving it a more collector-focused angle. For players who grew up with Rose’s Chicago years, this cover is not just about current form, but also about legacy.
NBA 2K27 Editions and Early Access Detailed
NBA 2K27 launches on September 4 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC via Steam, and Nintendo Switch 2. Deluxe Edition and Ultra Edition owners will receive Early Access from August 28 at 9 AM PDT.
| Edition | Cover Athlete | Price | Platforms | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Edition | Victor Wembanyama | US$69.99 | PS5, Xbox Series X | S, PC, Nintendo Switch 2 |
| Deluxe Edition | Caitlin Clark | US$99.99 | PS5, Xbox Series X | S, PC |
| Ultra Edition | Derrick Rose | US$149.99 | PS5, Xbox Series X | S, PC |
The Deluxe Edition includes 100,000 VC, MyCAREER content, MyTEAM packs, jerseys for Wembanyama and Clark, boosts, and 2XP coins for MyCAREER and MyTEAM.
The Ultra Edition includes everything in the Deluxe Edition, plus an additional 35,000 VC, a Season 1 Pro Pass, the Summer Season Pass Pro Pass Bundle for Seasons 7 to 9, a Roses Oversized Hoodie in MyCAREER, and premium MyTEAM player card rewards planned for later in the game’s cycle.
2K Starts Its Annual Rollout
The cover reveal officially starts the NBA 2K27 marketing cycle. As usual, players will now be waiting for deeper details on gameplay changes, MyCAREER, MyTEAM, online play, presentation updates, and how the series will use current-generation hardware across PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Nintendo Switch 2.
Cover athletes get the conversation started, but the bigger test comes next. NBA 2K27 now needs to show whether this year’s game can match the star power on the boxes.
