Caitlin Clark’s impact on basketball has reached another remarkable milestone, and this time it’s happening far beyond the hardwood. The Indiana Fever star and former Iowa Hawkeyes sensation has officially been named the cover athlete for the Deluxe Edition of NBA 2K27, making history as the first WNBA player to receive her own standalone global cover in the iconic video game franchise.
The announcement was made by 2K Games on Wednesday, confirming that Clark will headline the Deluxe Edition of the highly anticipated basketball title. For a player who has already transformed the popularity of women’s basketball in just a few short years, the latest recognition adds another landmark achievement to an already extraordinary career.
Clark celebrated the honor by reflecting on what the moment represents not just for her, but for women’s basketball as a whole.
“Being on the cover of NBA 2K27 is special because this game reaches fans all over the world,” Clark said in a press release from 2K Games. “To be the first WNBA player on her own global cover means women’s basketball gets to show up on that stage too, and I am proud to be part of that.”
Her words underline the significance of the announcement. NBA 2K has long been one of the most recognizable sports gaming franchises worldwide, and appearing as the face of one of its editions places Clark among basketball’s biggest global stars.
The honor comes after an incredible rise that has made Clark one of the most recognizable athletes in sports. Since leaving the University of Iowa, she has continued to rewrite expectations at the professional level with the Indiana Fever.
Clark was named the 2024 Kia WNBA Rookie of the Year, quickly proving she could dominate against the world’s best players after her historic college career. She has also earned selection as a three-time WNBA All-Star starter, cementing her status as one of the league’s premier talents.
Her popularity has extended well beyond the WNBA. Television ratings have surged whenever Clark plays, arenas continue to sell out, and her influence has introduced countless new fans to women’s basketball. The NBA 2K27 cover announcement is another example of how her star power continues to reshape the sport’s visibility on a global scale.
Fans eager to play as Clark won’t have to wait long.
The NBA 2K27 Deluxe Edition, priced at $100, is already available for pre-order and includes early access beginning August 28. The Deluxe Edition will launch on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, giving players the opportunity to start the game several days before the standard worldwide release.
Meanwhile, the Standard Edition will retail for $70 and launches on September 4. It will be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC, expanding access across multiple gaming platforms.
The cover reveal also serves as another reminder of Clark’s growing cultural influence. While athletes have traditionally earned cover honors after years of professional success, Clark has accelerated that timeline through her unique combination of elite play, record-breaking popularity, and marketability.
Her college legacy at Iowa helped redefine the women’s game, with sold-out arenas, record television audiences, and unforgettable performances making her one of the most celebrated players in NCAA history. That momentum has carried seamlessly into the WNBA, where she continues to attract national attention every time she steps onto the court.
Now, Clark’s image will greet millions of gamers around the world when they pick up NBA 2K27’s Deluxe Edition a milestone that reflects how far women’s basketball has come and how central she has become to its continued growth.
For Iowa fans, Fever supporters, and basketball enthusiasts everywhere, the announcement is yet another chapter in a career that continues to break barriers.
From becoming one of college basketball’s greatest stars to winning WNBA Rookie of the Year, earning three consecutive All-Star starting selections, and now becoming the first WNBA player to appear alone on a global NBA 2K cover, Caitlin Clark continues to accomplish feats that once seemed unimaginable.
When NBA 2K27 arrives later this year, players won’t simply be loading up another basketball game they’ll be witnessing another historic moment in the career of one of the sport’s most influential figures.
