Fever star Caitlin Clark is going to be featured on the cover of NBA 2K27’s deluxe edition, but fans noticed a weird element to the otherwise cool and historic moment.
Clark’s appearance on the cover marks the first time a WNBA player has been featured on her own global cover of the NBA edition of the game. However, several fans thought the cover didn’t exactly resemble Clark, with many accusing the creators of the game of using artificial intelligence for the digital drawing.
Sports business journalist Darren Rovell commented, “Weird to put someone else’s face on her. They don’t do that for NBA cover athletes.”
“Idk who that is but it’s certainly not Caitlin Clark,” another user posted on X.
Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) reacts after a foul is called Saturday, July 18, 2026, during the first half of a game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
Clark’s appearance is the next step for female athletes to be featured on the covers of the most popular basketball video game in the world.
Last year, Angel Reese was featured on the cover of the WNBA-specific 2K26 game, instead of a standard release cover. Several other star WNBA players, including Diana Taurasi, A’ja Wilson, and Sabrina Ionescu, have been on the WNBA cover.
Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) dribbles the ball while New York Liberty guard Pauline Astier (18) defends in the first half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
2K has not addressed the rumblings online over Clark’s cover.
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.
2K did not announce a WNBA edition, leading fans to believe that the company is foregoing that edition in order to honor Clark with the more mainstream NBA deluxe edition.
NBA 2K27 will be released worldwide on Sept. 4.
