Angel Reese is the cover athlete for the next installment of the popular video game series, NBA 2K. She will be on the cover of the NBA 2K26 video game when it releases later this month, alongside stars such as Carmelo Anthony and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Reese joins an elite group of WNBA stars, including Candace Parker, Diana Taurasi, Sue Bird, Sabrina Ionescu and A’ja Wilson on the WNBA edition covers, which first began with NBA 2K22 when the WNBA held its 25th anniversary.
Reese was announced as the cover athlete on the same day that Reebok announced her signature shoe, which is seen on the cover.
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“Of course we do everything BIG. Why not debut my signature shoe on the cover of NBA2K ?!?” she wrote on X.
However, some WNBA fans are not happy that Reese was chosen over Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark, who received the most All-Star votes from fans this year.
An NBA 2K executive explained why Reese was chosen. “Well, we’re never scared to start conversation,” Zak Armitage, Senior Vice President and General Manager of NBA 2K and 2K Sports Lab, told journalist Marc Griffin. “That’s part of our game, [it] often provokes debate and conversation. Basketball is full of it, that’s what’s fun about the sport as well as being a fan of it, so we never shy away from that.”
“We’ve had a great relationship with Angel, and we love her on-court and off the court style. And she’s willing to provoke conversation and be audacious too, so this year we’re really excited to partner with her. It felt [like] the right time.”
Reese and Clark entered the WNBA together, with Clark being the No. 1 overall pick of the 2024 draft. They were on the same All-Star team last year.
Reese is currently averaging 13.2 points and 12.9 rebounds per game. The Chicago Sky star also made WNBA history recently as she became the first player in league history to record 15 or more rebounds in five straight games.
Reese and Clark were collegiate rivals before they were both drafted into the league, where they have continued to be very competitive with one another.
Reese did have an impressive season, earning a spot in the All-Rookie First Team and getting an All-Star selection, however, it was Clark who was named Rookie of the Year.
