2K Sports has officially unveiled the cover athletes for NBA 2K27, with San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama leading the lineup as the face of the Standard Edition. The announcement marks another edition featuring separate cover stars across multiple versions of the game. Wembanyama, who became the NBA’s first unanimous Defensive Player of the Year, also makes history as the first Spurs player and the first French athlete to appear on the global Standard Edition cover of the franchise.
Joining him are WNBA superstar Caitlin Clark, who fronts the Deluxe Edition, and Chicago Bulls icon Derrick Rose, who has been selected as the cover athlete for the Ultra Edition. The latest installment of the long-running basketball series continues its tradition of celebrating standout NBA, WNBA, and legendary players, with the different editions highlighting some of the biggest names in the sport.
Victor Wembanyama, Caitlin Clark, and Derrick Rose Unveiled as NBA 2K27 Cover Stars
Victor Wembanyama has been unveiled as the cover athlete for the Standard Edition of NBA 2K27, becoming the first San Antonio Spurs player and the first French player to feature on the franchise’s main global cover. WNBA star Caitlin Clark will headline the Deluxe Edition, while Chicago Bulls icon Derrick Rose has been chosen for the limited-time Ultra Edition. The three athletes share a unique milestone, having all been selected No. 1 overall in their respective drafts before winning Rookie of the Year honors. NBA 2K27 launches worldwide on September 4, 2026, with Early Access beginning August 28 for Deluxe and Ultra Edition owners.
Wembanyama earned the honor after a standout 2025-26 campaign in which he averaged 25 points, 11.5 rebounds, and 3.1 blocks per game, won the NBA Defensive Player of the Year award, and helped lead the Spurs to the NBA Finals. Speaking about the announcement, 2K highlighted the French star’s historic rise, while Caitlin Clark’s Deluxe Edition celebrates her impact on women’s basketball, and Derrick Rose’s Ultra Edition pays tribute to the former MVP’s legacy. The game will be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC via Steam, and Nintendo Switch 2, with pre-orders already live.
NBA 2K27 will be released in three editions. The Standard Edition ($69.99) includes the base game featuring Wembanyama, while the Deluxe Edition ($99.99) starring Caitlin Clark adds 100,000 VC, MyCAREER and MyTEAM bonuses, plus Early Access. The Ultra Edition ($149.99), led by Derrick Rose, includes all Deluxe content alongside an additional 35,000 VC, Season 1 Pro Pass, Summer Season Pass Bundle, exclusive MyCAREER cosmetics, and premium MyTEAM rewards. Fans can also expect the first official gameplay trailer to be released on July 28, offering a closer look at this year’s installment before launch.
Why 2K Chose Victor Wembanyama, Caitlin Clark, And Derrick Rose As NBA 2K27 Cover Athletes
2K Sports also explained the thinking behind selecting Victor Wembanyama, Caitlin Clark, and Derrick Rose as the faces of NBA 2K27, pointing to the unique impact each player has had on basketball. According to the publisher, despite representing different generations and leagues, the trio share the same relentless mindset and passion for the game, making them ideal ambassadors for this year’s edition.
Explaining the decision, Zak Armitage, Senior Vice President and General Manager of NBA 2K, said, “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. Wembanyama has broken the mold for what a big man can be and keeps breaking it. 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. None of them have an off switch, and that same relentless drive is what defines NBA 2K27.”
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