Indiana Fever’s standout player, Caitlin Clark, is set to grace the cover of NBA 2K27 Deluxe Edition, yet the image chosen has sparked controversy among fans online.
While the WNBA star’s global cover appearance is celebrated, the portrayal has left fans puzzled. Many argue that the image resembles CGI or artificial intelligence more than Clark herself.
Sports journalist Darren Rovell commented, “It’s odd to use another face on her. This isn’t something done with NBA cover athletes.”
Some fans voiced their frustrations even more candidly.
The New York Post highlighted that Angel Reese appeared on the cover of the WNBA-centric 2K26 edition last year.
“Several other star WNBA players, including Diana Taurasi, A’ja Wilson, and Sabrina Ionescu, have been on the WNBA cover,” it added.
“Clark joins Spurs star Victor Wembanyama and ex-Bulls star Derrick Rose as the featured cover athletes for the 2K27 edition. Wembanyama is on the standard edition, while the ultra version depicts Rose during his time with the Bulls,” it added. “2K did not announce a WNBA edition, leading fans to believe that the company is foregoing that edition to honor Clark with the more mainstream NBA deluxe edition.”