The NBA has had its fair share of video games. From cult classics like NBA Jam and NBA Street, to simulation-style franchises like NBA Live. However, the most popular one over the last decade has been the NBA 2K franchise. Emerging from NBA Live’s shadow, 2K rose to fame through its more realistic gameplay, MyCareer mode, and popularity and endorsement from actual NBA players.
Of course, sports video games go hand-in-hand with their cover stars. The game promotes the player, while the player on the cover helps sells copies to the player’s fans. After a series of successful seasons with the Phoenix Suns, Devin Booker earned the honor on the most recent edition. NBA 2K has had its fair share of cover stars, with both recent fan favorites and NBA legends earning the beloved cover spot.
Cover Stars of the 2000s
NBA 2K kicked off the franchise prior to the 1999-2000 NBA season. Allen Iverson was featured on the cover of every edition from the original all the way through ESPN NBA 2K4. Ben Wallace was the first non-AI player to be featured the following season on ESPN NBA 2K5. Dropping its affiliation with ESPN, NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal was selected to star on the covers of both NBA 2K6 and 2K7.
After a promising first two years in the NBA, New Orleans Hornets point guard Chris Paul was selected for the cover of NBA 2K8. At the time, it was a gamble on a relatively unproven player, but Paul went on to become one of the best players in NBA history. 2K went back to the proven route the following year with Kevin Garnett, who led the Boston Celtics to their first championship in over 30 years in 2008.
Cover Stars of the 2010s
As one of the most popular players in the last decade, Los Angeles Lakers shooting guard Kobe Bryant made all too much sense for the cover of NBA 2K10 as the franchise opened up its second decade. 2K followed with Michael Jordan on the cover the next year, also including a special Jordan Challenge mode in the legend’s honor, allowing players to play through the most iconic moments of MJ’s career.
NBA 2K12 used a new method, with a trio of NBA Hall of Famers all appearing on the cover together. As the first game in the series to introduce historic versions of teams, it selected Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, and Jordan to be featured together. 2K13 did something similar, with modern All-Stars Kevin Durant, Derrick Rose, and Blake Griffin on the cover.
After winning back-to-back NBA Championships with the Miami Heat, 2K went back to a single-player cover with LeBron James featured. NBA 2K14 did the same with Oklahoma City Thunder star Kevin Durant earning the honors after winning his first MVP award the previous season.
The franchise decided once again to feature multiple stars on the cover of NBA 2K15. Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors, James Harden of the Houston Rockets, and Anthony Davis of the New Orleans Pelicans all were cover stars that year. 2K17 again went back to a singular star with Indiana Pacers forward Paul George. He was followed by Kyrie Irving and Giannis Antetokounmpo on the covers of 2K18 and 2K19, respectively.
Cover Stars of the 2020s
NBA 2K kicked off the most recent decade with Anthony Davis once again on the cover, but this time on his own and as a member of the Los Angeles Lakers. After COVID-19 paused the 2019-2020 NBA season, Davis, LeBron James, and the rest of the Lakers went on to win the championship in the Orlando NBA bubble.
The franchise once again went with multiple cover stars the following year with Portland Trail Blazers point guard Damian Lillard and New Orleans Pelicans young phenom Zion Williamson. The two players were at opposite ends of their careers when the game debuted. Lillard was an established All-Star on the back side of his career, while Williamson was the youngest player to ever appear on the cover of a 2K game, at just 20 years old.
NBA 2K22 went with another young star the following year with Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic. Doncic had been a professional basketball player in Europe since he was 16, then came over to the NBA at 19 and immediately established himself as one of the best scorers and passers in the game.
Special Edition Covers
NBA 2K also had a host of special edition covers starting in 2015 and continuing through the latest entries. With NBA 2K16, there was a special Michael Jordan Edition with the titular athlete on the cover. This year also introduced regional covers, with Spanish brothers Marc and Pau Gasol honored in Spain, Dennis Schroder in his native Germany, and French NBA legend Tony Parker on France’s edition.
The following year, Los Angeles Lakers Hall of Famer Kobe Bryant was featured on a special Legend Edition after his retirement in the 2015-2016 NBA season. 2K17 also had regional covers in Spain and Italy, with Pau Gasol once again on the Spanish cover, and Danilo Gallinari gracing the Italian one. NBA 2K18 again had a Legend Edition with Shaquille O’Neal returning to the cover for the first time since 2006. Canada received a regional cover this time around with Toronto Raptors All-Star DeMar DeRozan.
In honor of its 20th year as a franchise, NBA 2K19 had an aptly titled 20th Anniversary Edition with LeBron James once again on the cover. Aussie Ben Simmons was also featured on the covers in both Australia and New Zealand. The following year saw the return of the Legend Edition, with Miami Heat superstar Dwyane Wade on the cover.
After Kobe Bryant’s tragic death in a helicopter accident, NBA 2K21 had only a single special edition. The Mamba Forever Edition was titled after Bryant’s famous nickname, the Black Mamba. It featured Bryant on the cover and honored the star player’s life and legacy.
In 2021, Candace Parker became the first woman to appear on the cover of a 2K game with the special WNBA 25th Anniversary Edition. That year also spotlighted NBA legends Kevin Durant, Dirk Nowitzki, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar on the special NBA 75th Anniversary Edition, as well as the most recent regional cover featuring Rui Hachimura in Japan.
Finally, the most recent entry in the 2K franchise once again featured Michael Jordan on both the Jordan Edition and Championship Edition, while the combo of WNBA legends Diana Taurasi and Sue Bird graced the cover of the WNBA Edition.
