It is important mentioning that NBA 2K is one of the most popular basketball simulating video games that has been released annually. The franchise that began in 1999 has the basketball greats grace its covers including the NBA players.
This piece explores all NBA 2K covers together with the game titles, year of release, the athletes on the covers as well as the gaming platforms.
| Game Name | Release Year | Cover Athlete | Platforms |
| NBA 2K | 1999 | Allen Iverson | Dreamcast |
| NBA 2K1 | 2000 | Allen Iverson | Dreamcast |
| NBA 2K2 | 2001 | Allen Iverson | Dreamcast, PlayStation 2, Xbox, GameCube |
| NBA 2K3 | 2002 | Allen Iverson | PlayStation 2, Xbox, GameCube |
| ESPN NBA Basketball | 2003 | Allen Iverson | PlayStation 2, Xbox, GameCube |
| ESPN NBA 2K5 | 2004 | Ben Wallace | PlayStation 2, Xbox |
| NBA 2K6 | 2005 | Shaquille O’Neal | PlayStation 2, Xbox, Xbox 360 |
| NBA 2K7 | 2006 | Shaquille O’Neal | PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, Xbox, Xbox 360 |
| NBA 2K8 | 2007 | Chris Paul | PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, Xbox, Xbox 360 |
| NBA 2K9 | 2008 | Kevin Garnett | PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PC |
| NBA 2K10 | 2009 | Kobe Bryant | PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PC, Wii, PSP |
| NBA 2K11 | 2010 | Michael Jordan | PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Wii, PC, PSP |
| NBA 2K12 | 2011 | Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird | PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Wii, PC, PSP |
| NBA 2K13 | 2012 | Blake Griffin, Kevin Durant, Derrick Rose | PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Wii U, PC, PSP |
| NBA 2K14 | 2013 | LeBron James | PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, PC |
| NBA 2K15 | 2014 | Kevin Durant | PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, PC |
| NBA 2K16 | 2015 | Stephen Curry, James Harden, Anthony Davis | PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, PC |
| NBA 2K17 | 2016 | Paul George | PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, PC |
| NBA 2K18 | 2017 | Kyrie Irving | PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC, Nintendo Switch |
| NBA 2K19 | 2018 | Giannis Antetokounmpo | PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC, Nintendo Switch |
| NBA 2K20 | 2019 | Anthony Davis | PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC, Nintendo Switch |
| NBA 2K21 | 2020 | Damian Lillard, Zion Williamson (Next Gen) | PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, PC, Nintendo Switch |
| NBA 2K22 | 2021 | Luka Dončić | PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, PC, Nintendo Switch |
| NBA 2K23 | 2022 | Michael Jordan, Devin Booker | PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, PC, Nintendo Switch |
| NBA 2K24 | 2023 | Kobe Bryant, Sabrina Ionescu | PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, PC, Nintendo Switch |
| NBA 2K25 | 2024 | Nikola Jokić | PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, PC, Nintendo Switch |
NBA 2K (1999)
| Game Name | Release Year | Cover Athlete | Platforms |
| NBA 2K | 1999 | Allen Iverson | Dreamcast |
This was the first game in the NBA 2K series, released on the Dreamcast in 1999. Former Philadelphia 76ers Allen Iverson is featured on the NBA 2K cover. NBA 2K was a finalist for “Outstanding Achievement in Visual Engineering” at the AIAS’ 3rd Annual Interactive Achievement Awards, although Unreal Tournament won in the end.
NBA 2K1 (2000)
| Game Name | Release Year | Cover Athlete | Platforms |
| NBA 2K1 | 2000 | Allen Iverson | Dreamcast |
NBA 2K1 is a 2000 sports video game created by Visual Concepts and released on Sega. It was the first NBA 2K game to have online multiplayer, as well as the first to incorporate street courses rather than arenas, including legendary street courts like as The Cage, Rucker Park, Franklin Park, and Goat Park.
NBA 2K2 (2001)
| Game Name | Release Year | Cover Athlete | Platforms |
| NBA 2K2 | 2001 | Allen Iverson | Dreamcast, PS2, Xbox, Gamecube |
NBA 2K2 is a 2001 sports video game created by Visual Concepts and released by Sega for the Dreamcast, PlayStation 2, Xbox, and GameCube. NBA 2K2 included extra street courts, including Mosswood, Fonde Rec Center, and Venice Beach. The NBA 2K cover athlete is Allen Iverson of the Philadelphia 76ers.
It is also one of the few games to be released on all four 6th generation home platforms, as well as the only one to do so in North America.
NBA 2K3 (2002)
| Game Name | Release Year | Cover Athlete | Platforms |
| NBA 2K3 | 2002 | Allen Iverson | PS2, Xbox, GameCube |
NBA 2K3 is a 2002 sports video game created by Visual Concepts and released by Sega for the GameCube, PlayStation 2, and Xbox. It was the first of three NBA 2K games released with ESPN licensing (albeit the ESPN logo would not appear on the front cover until the series’ following entry).
The ESPN license coincided with its and sister network ABC’s acquisition of the national broadcast TV rights from NBC at the start of the 2002-03 season. It was also the final NBA 2K game to be released on the Nintendo console before NBA 2K10.
ESPN NBA Basketball (2003)
| Game Name | Release Year | Cover Athlete | Platforms |
| ESPN NBA Basketball | 2003 | Allen Iverson | PS2, Xbox |
It was the fifth chapter in the NBA 2K franchise and the sequel to NBA 2K 3. It was published in 2003 for the PlayStation 2 and Xbox. Allen Iverson is the game’s cover athlete (this is his last cover).
ESPN NBA Basketball preceded ESPN NBA 2K5 in the NBA 2K series. It is the last NBA 2K game before it was sold to Sega to become 2K Sports. It is also the first game to display the ESPN logo full-time, as well as the first game to feature “2K4” on the cover art rather than “2K” in the title.
NBA 2K5 (2004)
| Game Name | Release Year | Cover Athlete | Platforms |
| NBA 2K5 | 2004 | Ben Wallace | PS2, Xbox |
ESPN NBA 2K5 is a 2004 basketball simulation game created by Visual Concepts and co-published by Sega and Global Star Software. It was published in North America for the PlayStation 2 and Xbox in September 2004, and in Europe in February 2005.
The sixth entry in the NBA 2K series, it is the successor to ESPN NBA Basketball and the forerunner to NBA 2K 6. The cover athlete is Ben Wallace of the Detroit Pistons; this is the first time in the series that a player other than Allen Iverson has been featured on the cover.
NBA 2K6 (2005)
| Game Name | Release Year | Cover Athlete | Platforms |
| NBA 2K6 | 2005 | Shaquille O’Neal | PS2, Xbox, Xbox 360 |
NBA 2K6 is a 2005 basketball simulation video game created by Visual Concepts and released by 2K. It is the seventh entry of the NBA 2K franchise and the sequel to ESPN NBA 2K5. It was published in 2005 for the PlayStation 2, Xbox, and Xbox 360.
Shaquille O’Neal of the Miami Heat is the NBA 2K cover athlete. NBA 2K6 is the first NBA 2K title produced by 2K and the forerunner of NBA 2K7 in the NBA 2K series. This is the first game in the series to be published on Xbox 360.
NBA 2K7 (2006)
| Game Name | Release Year | Cover Athlete | Platforms |
| NBA 2K7 | 2006 | Shaquille O’Neal | PS2, Xbox, Xbox 360, PS3 |
NBA 2K7 is a 2006 basketball simulation game created by Visual Concepts and released by 2K. It is the eighth entry in the NBA 2K franchise and the follow-up to NBA 2K 6. It was published in 2006 for the PlayStation 2, Xbox, and Xbox 360, as well as a launch title for the PlayStation 3.
Shaquille O’Neal of the Miami Heat is the NBA 2K cover athlete. NBA 2K7 is the prequel of NBA 2K8 in the NBA 2K franchise. This was the second and last installment in the series to be published on Xbox.
NBA 2K8 (2007)
| Game Name | Release Year | Cover Athlete | Platforms |
| NBA 2K8 | 2007 | Chris Paul | PS2, Xbox, Xbox 360, PS3 |
NBA 2K8 is a 2007 basketball simulation video game created by Visual Concepts and released by 2K and Spike. It is the ninth entry in the NBA 2K franchise and the follow-up to NBA 2K 7. It was released in 2007 for the PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360.
Chris Paul of the New Orleans Hornets is the NBA 2K cover athlete for the game. In the NBA 2K series, NBA 2K8 comes before NBA 2K9.
NBA 2K9 (2008)
| Game Name | Release Year | Cover Athlete | Platforms |
| NBA 2K9 | 2008 | Kevin Garnett | PS2, Xbox 360, PS3, PC |
NBA 2K9 is a 2008 basketball simulation video game created by Visual Concepts and released by 2K. It is the tenth entry in the NBA 2K franchise and the follow-up to NBA 2K 8. It was launched in 2008 for the PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and Microsoft Windows.
Kevin Garnett of the Boston Celtics is the cover athlete for the game. In the NBA 2K series, NBA 2K9 comes before NBA 2K10.
NBA 2K10 (2009)
| Game Name | Release Year | Cover Athlete | Platforms |
| NBA 2K10 | 2009 | Kobe Bryant | PS2, PS3, Xbox 360, Wii, PC |
NBA 2K10 is a 2009 basketball simulation game created by Visual Concepts and released by 2K. It was published in October and November of 2009 for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Portable, Xbox 360, and Wii.
As the eleventh entry in the NBA 2K series, it succeeds NBA 2K9 and precedes NBA 2K11. Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers is the NBA 2K cover athlete. NBA 2K10 is the series’ first game to be released on the PlayStation Portable and Nintendo Wii platforms, as well as the first game to be released on a Nintendo device since NBA 2K3 for the GameCube in 2002.
NBA 2K11 (2010)
| Game Name | Release Year | Cover Athlete | Platforms |
| NBA 2K11 | 2010 | Michael Jordan | PS2, PS3, Xbox 360, Wii, PC |
NBA 2K11 is a 2010 basketball simulation video game created by Visual Concepts and released by 2K. It was published in October 2010 for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Portable, Xbox 360, and the Nintendo Wii.
As the twelfth entry in the NBA 2K series, it succeeds NBA 2K10 and precedes NBA 2K12. Michael Jordan of the Chicago Bulls is the NBA 2K cover athlete for the game. This is the first game in the series that supports the PlayStation Move.
NBA 2K12 (2011)
| Game Name | Release Year | Cover Athlete | Platforms |
| NBA 2K12 | 2011 | Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird | PS3, Xbox 360, Wii, PC |
NBA 2K12 is a 2011 basketball simulation game created by Visual Concepts and released by 2K. It was made available in October 2011 for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Portable, Wii, Xbox 360, and, for the first time, iOS. As the thirteenth entry in the NBA 2K series, it succeeds NBA 2K11 and precedes NBA 2K13.
For the first time in the series, three distinct NBA 2K cover were available: Michael Jordan (who previously appeared on the previous game’s cover), Magic Johnson of the Los Angeles Lakers, and Larry Bird of the Boston Celtics. This was the series’ final installment to be published for the PlayStation 2.
NBA 2K13 (2012)
| Game Name | Release Year | Cover Athlete | Platforms |
| NBA 2K13 | 2012 | Blake Griffin, Kevin Durant, Derrick Rose | PS3, Xbox 360, Wii, PC |
NBA 2K13 is a 2012 basketball video game created by Visual Concepts and released by 2K. It debuted in October 2012 for Android, iOS, Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Portable, Wii, and Xbox 360.
In North America, a Wii U version was published as a launch title, while the PAL region received it in December. The cover sportsmen, Blake Griffin of the Los Angeles Clippers, Kevin Durant of the Oklahoma City Thunder, and Derrick Rose of the Chicago Bulls, are featured in dunking positions.
NBA 2K14 (2013)
| Game Name | Release Year | Cover Athlete | Platforms |
| NBA 2K14 | 2013 | LeBron James | PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, PC |
NBA 2K14 is a 2013 basketball video game created by Visual Concepts and released by 2K. The fifteenth chapter in the series was published on October 1, 2013, for Windows, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360, with PlayStation 4 and Xbox One versions following on their respective launch dates. LeBron James of the Miami Heat was the NBA 2K cover athlete and the game’s music curator.
NBA 2K15 (2014)
| Game Name | Release Year | Cover Athlete | Platforms |
| NBA 2K15 | 2014 | Kevin Durant | PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, PC |
NBA 2K15 is a 2014 basketball simulation game created by Visual Concepts and released by 2K. It is the sixteenth entry in the NBA 2K franchise and the follow-up to NBA 2K 14. It was launched in October 2014 for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, and Xbox One. Kevin Durant of the Oklahoma City Thunder, one of the three cover players in NBA 2K13, is the only cover athlete in NBA 2K15. NBA 2K15 was followed by NBA 2K16.
NBA 2K16 (2015)
| Game Name | Release Year | Cover Athlete | Platforms |
| NBA 2K16 | 2015 | Stephen Curry, James Harden, Anthony Davis, Michael Jordan (SE) | PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, PC |
NBA 2K16 is a 2015 basketball simulation game created by Visual Concepts and released by 2K. It is the 17th entry in the NBA 2K franchise, succeeding NBA 2K15 while also serving as the forerunner of NBA 2K 17. It was launched on September 29, 2015, for Microsoft Windows, Xbox One, Xbox 360, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation 3.
On October 14, 2015, a mobile version was published for Android and iOS. The primary NBA 2K cover had three separate players: Anthony Davis of the New Orleans Pelicans, Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors, and James Harden of the Houston Rockets. A SE edition of the game was also produced, featuring Michael Jordan on the cover.
NBA 2K17 (2016)
| Game Name | Release Year | Cover Athlete | Platforms |
| NBA 2K17 | 2016 | Paul George (Standard), Kobe Bryant (Legend) | PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, PC |
NBA 2K17 is a 2016 basketball simulation game created by Visual Concepts and released by 2K. It is the 18th entry in the NBA 2K franchise and the follow-up to NBA 2K 16. It was made available globally on September 20, 2016, for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, and Xbox One.
Players that pre-ordered the game got it on September 16, 2016. The ordinary edition of the game has Paul George of the Indiana Pacers on the cover, while the ‘Legend Edition’ features Kobe Bryant.
NBA 2K18 (2017)
| Game Name | Release Year | Cover Athlete | Platforms |
| NBA 2K18 | 2017 | Kyrie Irving (Standard), Shaquille O’Neal (Legend) | PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, PC |
NBA 2K18 is a 2017 basketball simulation video game created by Visual Concepts and released by 2K. It is the nineteenth entry in the NBA 2K franchise, following NBA 2K17 and preceding NBA 2K19.
It was made available on September 19, 2017, for Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, iOS, and Android. The NBA 2K cover athlete for the standard version of the game is Kyrie Irving of the Boston Celtics, while the special editions have Shaquille O’Neal.
NBA 2K19 (2018)
| Game Name | Release Year | Cover Athlete | Platforms |
| NBA 2K19 | 2018 | Ben Simmons, Giannis Antetokounmpo (Standard), LeBron James (20th Anniversary) | PS4, Xbox One, PC, Switch |
NBA 2K19 is a 2018 basketball simulation video game created by Visual Concepts and released by 2K that is based on the National Basketball Association (NBA). It is the twentieth entry in the NBA 2K franchise, following NBA 2K18 and preceding NBA 2K20.
The normal edition’s NBA 2K cover athlete is Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks, while the 20th Anniversary Edition’s NBA 2K cover athlete is LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers.
NBA 2K20 (2019)
| Game Name | Release Year | Cover Athlete | Platforms |
| NBA 2K20 | 2019 | Anthony Davis (Standard), Dwyane Wade (Legend) | PS4, Xbox One, PC, Switch |
NBA 2K20 is the 21st entry in the NBA 2K franchise, following NBA 2K19 and preceding NBA 2K21. The ordinary edition of the game has Anthony Davis of the Los Angeles Lakers on the cover, while the ‘Legend Edition’ features Dwyane Wade.
NBA 2K21 (2020)
| Game Name | Release Year | Cover Athlete | Platforms |
| NBA 2K21 | 2020 | Damian Lillard (Standard), Zion Williamson (Next-Gen), Kobe Bryant (Mamba Forever) | PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC, Switch |
NBA 2K21 is the 22nd entry in the NBA 2K franchise, following NBA 2K20 and preceding NBA 2K22. The game was launched on September 4, 2020, for Microsoft Windows, macOS, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Google Stadia, with PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S versions available on the consoles’ launch dates. Most versions were heavily criticized for their lack of innovation in gameplay, as well as numerous microtransactions and problems.
NBA 2K22 (2021)
| Game Name | Release Year | Cover Athlete | Platforms |
| NBA 2K22 | 2021 | Luka Doncic, Candace Parker (WNBA 25th Anniversary Special Edition), Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Dirk Nowitzki and Kevin Durant ( 2K22 NBA 75th Anniversary Edition) | PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC, Switch |
NBA 2K22 is the 23rd entry in the NBA 2K franchise, following NBA 2K21 and preceding NBA 2K23.
The game was launched on September 10, 2021, for the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S. On October 19, 2021, NBA 2K22 Arcade Edition was published for iOS, macOS, and tvOS via Apple Arcade, as well as Android.
NBA 2K23 (2022)
| Game Name | Release Year | Cover Athlete | Platforms |
| NBA 2K23 | 2022 | Devin Booker, Michael Jordan (Jordan Edition), J Cole (Dreamer edition), Diana Taurasi and Sue Bird (WNBA Edition) | PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC, Switch |
NBA 2K23 is the 24th entry in the NBA 2K franchise, following NBA 2K22 and preceding NBA 2K24.
The game was made available on September 9, 2022, for Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S. The NBA 2K23 Arcade Edition debuted on Apple Arcade on October 18, 2022.
NBA 2K24 (2023)
| Game Name | Release Year | Cover Athlete | Platforms |
| NBA 2K24 | 2023 | Kobe Bryant, Sabrina Ionescu (Women’s Edition) | PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC, Switch |
NBA 2K24 is the 25th entry in the NBA 2K franchise, following NBA 2K23 and preceding NBA 2K25. The game was made available on September 8, 2023, for Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S. The NBA 2K24 Arcade Edition debuted on Apple Arcade on October 24, 2023.
NBA 2K25 (2024)
| Game Name | Release Year | Cover Athlete | Platforms |
| NBA 2K25 | 2024 | Jayson Tatum, A’ja Wilson (Women’s Edition), Vince Carter (Hall of Fame edition) | PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC, Switch |
NBA 2K25 is the 26th entry in the NBA 2K series, following NBA 2K24 (2023). On September 6, 2024, the game was launched on the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
FAQs
Q. Who was on all the 2K covers?
A. No one has ever been on all the NBA 2K cover, but there has been some athletes who were frequently featured. Allen Iverson was the cover athlete for the first five editions of the game, spanning from NBA 2K to ESPN NBA Basketball (2K4). Then came Ben Wallace, Shaquille O’Neal, and several other superstars. So far, Kobe Bryant aka Black Mamba has six distinct covers (2K10, 2K17, and two editions for 2K21 and 2K24), followed by Iverson (2K, 2K1, 2K2, 2K3, and 2K4) and Michael Jordan (2K11, 2K12, 2K16, and two 2K23 editions.
Q. How many 2K covers is Kobe on?
A. Kobe Bryant aka Black Mamba has six distinct covers (2K10, 2K17, and two editions for 2K21 and 2K24).
Q. How many versions of NBA 2K are there?
A. There are currently 26 versions of NBA 2K games to play out there.
Q. Does KD have a 2K cover?
A. Kevin Durant (KD) has been on the NBA 2K series cover 3 times, which speaks volume of him in basketball. He first graced the cover with Derrick Rose and Blake Griffin in 2013, then got a solo cover after his MVP season with the thunder in 2015. Durant came back in 2022 and was on the cover with Dirk Nowitzki and Hakeem Olajuwon.