The NBA 2K series has been around for over two decades. Yes, the basketball sim is old enough to order a drink in every state. They grow up so fast.
We thought it best to look back on every cover athlete that there’s ever been — and there’s probably more than you think. In the early days, Allen Iverson single-handedly carried the series, but before long, loads of icons graced NBA 2K‘s cover. Some of them have done so multiple times, even. Particularly a fellow that made 23 such a famous number.
Interestingly enough, several entries feature numerous athletes. NBA 2K16, for example, has seven different cover stars — some of which only came out in specific regions. Like, Canada had a custom edition of NBA 2K18! Wild stuff.
Alright, enough chit-chat. Let’s get into it.
- Every Madden cover star since 2000
- Every EA NHL cover star since 1999
- Every MLB: The Show cover star since 1997
The best takes and the sharpest bets on all the hoops storylines you need to know. Sign up for our Layup Lines newsletter, hitting your inbox on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
NBA 2K - Allen Iverson
NBA 2K1 - Allen Iverson
NBA 2K2 - Allen Iverson
NBA 2K3 - Allen Iverson
ESPN NBA Basketball (NBA 2K4) - Allen Iverson
ESPN NBA Basketball (NBA 2K5) - Ben Wallace
NBA 2K6 - Shaquille O’Neal
NBA 2K7 - Shaquille O’Neal
NBA 2K8 - Chris Paul
NBA 2K9 - Kevin Garnett
NBA 2K10 - Kobe Bryant
NBA 2K11 - Michael Jordan
NBA 2K12 - Magic Johnson
NBA 2K12 - Michael Jordan
NBA 2K12 - Larry Bird
NBA 2K13 - Derrick Rose, Kevin Durant, and Blake Griffin
NBA 2K14 - LeBron James
NBA 2K15 - Kevin Durant
NBA 2K16 - Stephen Curry
NBA 2K16 - Pau Gasol and Marc Gasol (Spanish Cover)
NBA 2K16 - James Harden
NBA 2K16 - Dennis Schroder (German Cover)
NBA 2K16 - Anthony Davis
NBA 2K16 - Tony Parker (French Cover)
NBA 2K16 - Michael Jordan
NBA 2K17 - Kobe Bryant (Legend Edition)
NBA 2K17 - Paul George
NBA 2K17 - Danilo Gallinari (Italian Cover)
NBA 2K17 - Pau Gasol (Spanish Cover)
NBA 2K18 - DeMar DeRozan (Canadian Cover)
NBA 2K18 - Kyrie Irving
NBA 2K18 - Kyrie Irving (Early Tip-Off Edition)
NBA 2K18 - Shaquille O’Neal (Legend Edition)
NBA 2K18 - Shaquille O’Neal (Legend Edition Gold)
NBA 2K19 - LeBron James (20th Anniversary Edition)
NBA 2K19 - Giannis Antetokounmpo
NBA 2K19 - Ben Simmons (Australian Cover)
NBA 2K20 - Anthony Davis
NBA 2K20 - Dwyane Wade (Legend Edition)
NBA 2K21 - Damian Lillard
NBA 2K21 - Zion Williamson (Next Generation Edition)
NBA 2K21 - Kobe Bryant (Mamba Forever Edition)
NBA 2K21 - Kobe Bryant (Mamba Forever Edition variant)
NBA 2K22 - Luka Doncic
NBA 2K22 - Luka Doncic (Cross Gen Bundle)
NBA 2K22 - Candace Parker (WNBA 25th Anniversary Special Edition)
NBA 2K22 - Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Dirk Nowitzki and Kevin Durant (NBA 75th Anniversary Edition)
NBA 2K23 - Diana Taurasi and Sue Bird (WNBA edition)
NBA 2K23 - Devin Booker (Standard Edition)
NBA 2K23 - Devin Booker (Digital Deluxe Edition)
NBA 2K23 - Michael Jordan (Championship Edition)
NBA 2K23 - Michael Jordan (Michael Jordan Edition)
NBA 2K24 - Kobe Bryant (Kobe Bryant Edition)
NBA 2K24 - Kobe Bryant (Black Mamba Edition)
Written by Kyle Campbell on behalf of GLHF.
NBA 2K25: Jayson Tatum and Aja Wilson
To be a star, it’s gotta be #BallOverEverything 🌟
Introducing our #NBA2K25 Cover Athletes @jaytatum0 and @_ajawilson22! 💫
Pre-order the All-Star Edition today ➡️ https://t.co/gLm2YAsIjO pic.twitter.com/OwXyK4d71f
— NBA 2K (@NBA2K) July 10, 2024
