Cooper WorthDes Moines Register
July 23, 2026, 1:39 p.m. CT
Caitlin Clark has graced the cover of billboards, magazines and books over the last few years as her popularity has surged.
Now, the former Iowa women’s basketball player can add a video game to the list, as Clark is officially an NBA 2K27 cover athlete.
On July 22, 2K Games, makers of the popular NBA 2K franchise, announced the cover athletes for its newest basketball video game installment, NBA 2K27. San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama will be on the cover of the Standard Edition, and Chicago Bulls legend Derrick Rose will be on the limited-time Ultra Edition.
Clark, who is set to grace the cover of the Deluxe Edition, is the first WNBA player featured on her own global NBA 2K premium cover.
“Being on the cover of NBA 2K27 is special because this game reaches fans all over the world,” said Clarkr means women’s basketball gets to show up on that stage too, and I am proud to be part of that.”
The NBA 2K27 Deluxe Edition cover features Clark in a navy Indiana Fever uniform, dribbling with her back turned against a vivid orange-red backdrop. In the photo, she’s wearing a bright yellow pair of her soon-to-be-released Nike Caitlin 1 signature shoes.
While the WNBA has had its own special-edition covers over the past five years — featuring Candace Parker (2K22), Diana Taurasi and Sue Bird (2K23), Sabrina Ionescu (2K24), A’ja Wilson (2K25) and Angel Reese (2K26) — those were separate WNBA-branded versions, not the main global Deluxe release.
How to buy the Caitlin Clark edition of NBA 2K27
NBA 2K27 is expected to be available on Sept. 4, 2026. Early access begins Aug. 28 for anyone who purchases the Deluxe Edition or the Ultra Edition.
NBA 2K27 will retail at $69.99 for the Standard Edition, $99.99 for the Deluxe Edition featuring Clark’s cover, and $149.99 for the limited-time Ultra Edition. Pre-order for the Deluxe Edition is available from the Microsoft Store, PlayStation Store or Steam.
Besides early access to the game, the Deluxe Edition’s perks include 100,000 in-game currency, bonus player cards and power-ups, and a Clark jersey for their created player to wear.
However, if fans were hoping to display Clark’s NBA 2K27 cover as a collectible in their gaming rooms, they’ll be disappointed to find out that the version is digital-only and won’t be sold as a physical copy, according to 2K Games.
Caitlin Clark 2026 stats
The 24-year-old is averaging a career-high 21 points per game and 43.5% shooting from the field, while averaging 7.9 assists and 3.8 rebounds in 23 games played this season.
Clark will appear in her third consecutive All-Star Game this weekend, alongside Fever teammates Aliyah Boston and Kelsey Mitchell. Indiana is coming off a 123-88 win over the Connecticut Sun on July 22, when Clark, Boston and Mitchell all finished with at least 20 points.
USA TODAY network reporters Brian Haenchen and Meghan L. Hall contributed to this report.
Cooper Worth is a service/trending reporter for the Des Moines Register. Reach him at cworth@gannett.com or follow him on X @CooperAWorth.
