Victor Wembanyama's career has already taken him to heights few have achieved at his tender age. On Wednesday, the Spurs superstar added another notch on his belt, becoming the leading face of basketball's biggest virtual simulation.
Visual Concepts announced that Wembanyama was selected to grace the cover of NBA 2K27. Fresh off of his first NBA Finals appearance, the Frenchman is well on his way to world domination — at least as far as basketball is concerned. His ascendancy to the front of the sport's standalone video game follows that trend.
With that, here's what you need to know about NBA 2K's decision to name Wembanyama its cover athlete in 2026.
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Victor Wembanyama chosen as NBA 2K27 cover athlete
Wembanyama added to his glittering list of accolades by earning the NBA 2K27 cover nod, beating out multiple standout candidates, including Anthony Edwards, Cade Cunningham and Finals MVP Jalen Brunson to land the prize.
It's a richly-deserved honor for Wembanyama, who, at 22 years old, became the second-youngest athlete to grace NBA 2K's cover behind Zion Williamson (NBA 2K21).
We are not alone 👽
Victor Wembanyama has landed as your NBA 2K27 Standard Edition Cover Athlete
Pre-order NBA 2K27 now! ➡️ https://t.co/wflnyoAd5R pic.twitter.com/Xww8BE9uLK
— NBA 2K (@NBA2K) July 22, 2026
Wembanyama averaged career highs in points (25.0) and rebounds (11.5) while leading the league in blocks per game (3.1) for the third year running. He was subsequently awarded Defensive Player of the Year honors, becoming the first player to earn the prize via unanimous selection.
The Frenchman was similarly productive in postseason play, earning Western Conference Finals MVP honors as the Spurs returned to the Finals for the first time since 2014.
Wembanyama wasn't able to hoist the sport's grandest trophy — San Antonio fell to the Knicks in the series. However, Wembanyama's displays throughout the postseason cemented his status as one of the sport's truest stars — and a potential heir to the title of the league's best player.
Visual Concepts appears to be banking on Wembanyama's burgeoning marketability shining through. He was arguably the sport's biggest star during the postseason, transfixing onlookers with his ball-handling, dexterity and willow-like frame.
Wembanyama is undoubtedly one of the league's biggest superstars. His appearance on the NBA 2K27 cover figures to add to that impressive reputation.
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NBA 2K covers by year
Released annually since 1999, NBA 2K has eluded all competitors to become the standalone basketball video game released across major video game platforms.
That's not necessarily a good thing; iterations of the game have been rife with issues, including server problems and Visual Concepts' penchant to coax money out of gamers via micro-transactions.
No athlete has appeared on the cover more than 1996 NBA Draft alums Allen Iverson and Kobe Bryant, who flashed their countenance on the video game five times apiece.
Here's a look at the athletes who have appeared on NBA 2K's standard editions over the years:
Year Game Cover athlete(s)
1999 NBA 2K Allen Iverson
2000 NBA 2K1 Allen Iverson
2001 NBA 2K2 Allen Iverson
2002 NBA 2K3 Allen Iverson
2003 ESPN NBA Basketball 2K4 Allen Iverson
2004 ESPN NBA 2K5 Ben Wallace
2005 NBA 2K6 Shaquille O'Neal
2006 NBA 2K7 Shaquille O'Neal
2007 NBA 2K8 Chris Paul
2008 NBA 2K9 Kevin Garnett
2009 NBA 2K10 Kobe Bryant
2010 NBA 2K11 Michael Jordan
2011 NBA 2K12 Larry Bird, Magic Johnson
2012 NBA 2K13 Derrick Rose, Blake Griffin, Kevin Durant
2013 NBA 2K14 LeBron James
2014 NBA 2K15 Kevin Durant
2015 NBA 2K16 Stephen Curry, James Harden, Anthony Davis
2016 NBA 2K17 Paul George
2017 NBA 2K18 Kyrie Irving
2018 NBA 2K19 Giannis Antetokounmpo
2019 NBA 2K20 Anthony Davis
2020 NBA 2K21 Damian Lillard, Zion Williamson
2021 NBA 2K22 Luka Doncic
2022 NBA 2K23 Devin Booker
2023 NBA 2K24 Kobe Bryant
2024 NBA 2K25 Jayson Tatum
2025 NBA 2K26 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
2026 NBA 2K27 Victor Wembanyama
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