Every NBA 2K cover athlete gallery from 1999 to 2026: Allen Iverson, Lebron James, Koby Bryant & more
(Courtesy : 2K Games, Visual Concepts)
Many NBA legends and superstars have graced the cover of NBA 2K throughout the years
On July 8, 2025, 2K and Visual Concepts officially announced the NBA 2K cover athlete for their upcoming game, NBA 2K26, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
This young Canadian talent from the Oklahoma City Thunder had an amazing season and is the reigning NBA MVP, Finals MVP, and champion.
Throughout the years, we have seen many cover athletes from NBA superstars to even some legends, from Allen Iverson & Michael Jordan to Lebron James and Kobe Bryant.
Let’s take a look at the cover athletes gallery who have graced the NBA 2K game cover through the years.
NBA 2K cover athlete gallery
NBA 2K to ESPN NBA 2K4 (Allen Iverson)
Allen Iverson, the name is enough and every basketball fan knows how good Iverson truly was with the ball in his hand.
Despite being only 6 feet tall, he was always the most lethal scorer and dribbler on the court. Every game was a highlight reel for his career.
The NBA 2K games started with Sega, Dreamcast & ESPN, and Allen Iverson was their top choice for five straight games as cover athlete.
NBA 2K5 (Ben Wallace)
Ben Wallace was the next cover athlete for the NBA 2K5 by SEGA and ESPN. He played the Center position for the Detroit Pistons and was considered one of the most feared players on the court.
Many times he has been named an NBA All-Star and achieved many other things as a player, but the most important would be the NBA Championship in 2004.
That season and championship also fully proved him as the next cover athlete for the 2K game.
Also Read: When will NBA 2K26 launch? Possible release date & details
NBA 2K6 & NBA 2K7 (Shaquille O’Neal)
It won’t be wrong to say that Shaquille O’Neal is truly one of the most famous basketball players in the world.
He was even more famous when he used to dominate in court and break glass with his dunks.
NBA 2K8 (Chris Paul)
Chris Paul, one of the best point guards and passers that has ever played this game.
He has won everything in his career except for the NBA Championship. Early 2006-2007 were also the years when this guy started to shine in the NBA, playing for the New Orleans Hornets.
NBA 2K9 (Kevin Garnett)
The next NBA 2K cover athlete for 2K9 was none other than Kevin Garnett, who started his career playing for the Minnesota Timberwolves.
But he truly shone with the Boston Celtics and even won the NBA Championship with them in 2008, making him a perfect choice for the cover athlete.
NBA 2K10 (Kobe Bryant)
The mamba, Kobe Bryant, is a legend and one of the greatest of all time in the NBA, and finally made his appearance as the NBA 2K cover athlete.
This choice wasn’t surprising after the Lakers won the championship back-to-back in 2009 and 2010.
Also Read: NBA 2K: List of all cover stars
NBA 2K11 (Michael Jordan)
From NBA 2K11, we can probably say that 2K finally started to pay tribute to legends of Basketball with the cover athlete and the first one to get was none other than Michael Jordan.
I think most of the people in the whole world would know who he truly was and how dangerous he was with the basketball.
NBA 2K12 (Three legends)
With NBA 2K12, three legends were chosen with their very own cover for the game. Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson and Larry Bird.
NBA 2K13 (Rising Talents)
2K Games took the steps different step for the NBA 2K cover athlete for their next game. They included the rising talents: Blake Griffin, Kevin Durant and Derrick Rose all in one cover.
NBA 2K14 (Lebron James)
Another GOAT and legend, Lebron James, finally made his debut as the NBA 2K cover athlete in NBA 2K14.
This cover was also one of the coolest covers that I personally consider because this was also my first basketball game that I played on a console.
NBA 2K15 (Kevin Durant)
Kevin Durant was the next choice for the NBA 2K15 cover athlete. That was also the time when he started to shine more on the court with Russell Westbrook for the Oklahoma City Thunder.
NBA 2K16 (So many different edition covers)
Stephen Curry, James Harden and Anthony Davis were the main cover athletes for NBA 2K16.
But the game also had different editions like the Special Edition with Michael Jordan on the cover, the France edition with Tony Parker, the Germany edition with Dennis Schroeder and the Spain edition with Marc Gasol and Pau Gasol.
NBA 2K17 (Paul George)
Paul George was the next NBA 2K cover athlete chosen for the NBA 2K17.
For the Legend edition, it was Kobe Bryant and for the Spain & Italy edition, it was Pau Gasol and Danilo Gallinari.
NBA 2K18 (Kyrie Irving)
Kyrie Irving was the next superstar to be the NBA 2K cover athlete and he got two covers: One for the standard edition and another for the early tip-off edition.
Shaquille O’Neal was the cover athlete for the Legend and Gold edition, while DeMar DeRozan was on the cover for the Canada edition.
NBA 2K19 (Giannis Antetokounmpo)
NBA 2K19 was also the 20th anniversary of the franchise and Giannis Antetokounmpo was the cover star for the standard edition.
NBA 2K19 also had a 20th anniversary special edition with Lebron James on the cover and an Australia and New Zealand Edition with Ben Simmons on the cover.
NBA 2K20 (Anthony Davis)
Anthony Davis’ move to the Lakers shocked the whole world and he was also named as the cover athlete for NBA 2K20.
For the Legend edition, Miami Heat legend Dwyane Wade was chosen as the cover star.
NBA 2K21 (Damian Lillard)
Damian Lillard was chosen as the next NBA 2K cover athlete in the game.
2K also honored Kobe Bryant’s tragic passing with an amazing cover and special edition for him. Zion Williamson was the cover for the next-gen edition on PS5.
NBA 2K22 (Luka Doncic)
Luka Doncic, another young superstar from the Dallas Mavericks, graces the cover for NBA 2K22.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Dirk Nowitzki and Kevin Durant were the cover superstars for NBA’s 75th edition. Candace Parker was on the cover for WNBA 25th Anniversary Special Edition.
NBA 2K23
Devin Booker was the next superstar chosen for the NBA 2K cover athlete.
Michael Jordan was on the cover for his own edition and the Championship edition, while Diana Taurasi and Sue Bird for WNBA edition and J.Cole for Dreamer edition.
NBA 2K24 (Kobe Bryant)
Kobe Bryant was the cover athlete for NBA 2K24 edition and the Mamba edition.
Sabrina Ionescu was the cover star for WNBA edition, while a championship ring was on the cover for 25th anniversary edition.
NBA 2K25 (Jayson Tatum)
Jayson Tatum was the next cover athlete for the NBA 2K24.
More cover athletes for different editions: Jayson Tatum and A’ja Wilson for All-Star edition, Vince Carter for Hall of Fame edition and A’ja Wilson for WNBA edition.
NBA 2K26
On July 8, 2025, 2K Games officially announced that Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the next NBA 2K cover athlete for NBA 2K26.
For now, only the standard edition cover star has been revealed. More cover athletes revealed for different editions are currently pending.
We will update the article once more cover athletes for the editions are officially revealed by 2K.
FAQs
Who has been on the cover of NBA 2K the most times?
Kobe Bryant and Allen Iverson are among the top cover athletes, with Kobe featuring on 6 different covers and Iverson on 5 consecutive covers from NBA 2K to ESPN NBA Basketball.
Who is the cover athlete for NBA 2K26?
The cover athlete for NBA 2K26 is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Who are some notable cover athletes for recent NBA 2K games?
Recent cover athletes include Jayson Tatum (NBA 2K25), Devin Booker (NBA 2K23), Luka Doncic (NBA 2K22), and Damian Lillard (NBA 2K21).
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Mahaksh Chauhan is a passionate gaming journalist who loves for old-school RPGs and turn-based games. With a keen eye for storytelling and a deep understanding of game mechanics, Mahaksh brings an unique perspective to the world of gaming. Inspired by classics like Persona, Red Dead Redemption 2, and Skyrim, Mahaksh is dedicated in sharing the magic of games with readers. When not writing or gaming, Mahaksh can be found cheering on WWE superstars or watching his favourite Anime.
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