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NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 08: Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs looks on during the fourth quarter against the New York Knicks in Game Three of the 2026 NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden on June 08, 2026 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
For an NBA player, gracing the cover of the vaunted NBA 2K video game series is a major accomplishment. Only the biggest stars are selected for the cover, and typically only one current player per year is selected. So, it’s an exclusive club.
For the upcoming 2027 edition of the game, San Antonio Spurs star center Victor Wembanyama was picked as the cover athlete, making him the first player in Spurs history to earn the honor.
Victor Wembanyama Reacts to Being Named NBA 2K Cover Athlete
GettyNEW YORK, NEW YORK – JULY 18: Victor Wembanyama attends the Men in Blazers panel at Fanatics Fest NYC 2026 at Jacob Javits Center on July 18, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Rob Kim/Getty Images for Fanatics)
Wembanyama reacted to the milestone in an interview with The Athletic, and while he’s appreciative of the acknowledgement, he feels like it’s slightly behind schedule.
“Just like every achievement in my career, I wish it happened sooner. It’s all happening very quick, but I am not satisfied, and I want it to happen quicker. It’s definitely a big milestone, something good. That’s done,” Wembanyama said.
“I know it means a lot culturally, too. It’s hard to realize for me that I’m taking more and more space, more real estate in the world of basketball, in what basketball means, in professional basketball.”