Victor Wembanyama reportedly named NBA 2K27 cover athlete
San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama will reportedly be named the cover athlete for NBA 2K27, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. The official reveal is expected Wednesday. The French center becomes the first Spurs player on a standard cover and the first center since Shaquille O'Neal.
Key Takeaways
- ESPN's Shams Charania reports Victor Wembanyama will be the NBA 2K27 cover athlete, with an official announcement expected later Wednesday.
- Wembanyama is the first Spurs player on a solo standard cover and the first center since Shaquille O'Neal on 2K18's Legend Edition.
- The selection follows a breakout third season that included Defensive Player of the Year honors and a Spurs Finals run.
- NBA 2K27 is scheduled to launch globally on September 4, with premium early access starting August 28.
The report, first detailed by Yahoo Sports and echoed by Eurohoops, ends weeks of speculation that began after an accidental early post on the official 2K Newsroom site was deleted but preserved in fan screenshots. For more gaming and launch alerts, see our Streaming & TV Alerts hub.
Who is the NBA 2K27 cover athlete?
According to Charania, the 22-year-old French phenom will grace the standard edition cover of NBA 2K27. It would be the first video game cover of Wembanyama's career and put him among a short list of international stars to headline the franchise.
Greece's Giannis Antetokounmpo appeared on NBA 2K19 and Slovenia's Luka Doncic on NBA 2K22. Wembanyama's selection would mark the third time a European-born player has headlined the standard edition.
Why does Wembanyama's cover selection matter?
Wembanyama has spent three seasons in the NBA, winning Rookie of the Year in 2024 and Defensive Player of the Year in 2026. The 7-foot-4 center averages 23.4 points, 11 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 3.5 blocks across 181 games.
This past season he averaged 25 points and 11.5 rebounds per game. Career highlights include a 50-point night against the Washington Wizards in November 2024 and a 23-rebound game against the Denver Nuggets in January 2025.
The cover news arrives about a month after San Antonio fell to the New York Knicks in the 2026 NBA Finals in five games. Despite the loss, Wembanyama remains one of the league's most marketable faces and a natural fit for the annual 2K spotlight.
When does NBA 2K27 come out?
Eurohoops reports NBA 2K27 is scheduled to launch globally on September 4. Premium editions are expected to offer early access beginning August 28.
Yahoo Sports notes Wembanyama will likely rank among the top players in the game at launch. Official packaging and edition details should follow Wednesday's expected announcement.