Why NBA 2K26 Got It All Wrong
The decision makes no sense
Two days ago, NBA 2K came out with their cover athletes. For the NBA edition, 2K chose the obvious choice: NBA MVP, champion, and Finals MVP, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. For the “Superstar” edition, 2K went with Knicks legend Carmelo Anthony — a move that makes total sense. Melo is a cultural icon, a bucket, a certified legend in basketball history. Cool. Great. No problem there.
Now, here’s where it gets interesting.
For the WNBA edition of NBA 2K26, the cover athlete was announced as… Angel Reese.
Why does Angel Reese gracing the cover of NBA 2K matter? Well, it’s simple. It’s actually insanely simple. This is about more than a video game cover. It’s about who’s really driving the WNBA’s momentum — who’s responsible for the league even being relevant in the mainstream sports world in the first place.
And the answer to that question? Let’s be honest. Let’s be for real for just one second. It’s not even close. It’s Caitlin freaking Clark.
Caitlin Clark is the reason the WNBA is seeing record ratings. She’s why every arena she steps foot in is packed — home or away. She’s why people who never watched a second of women’s basketball are now following her career.
Before her, the WNBA didn’t have chartered flights. Now they do. Media coverage was minimal. Now it’s nonstop. Players were talking about respect and exposure — they weren’t getting either. And now? Suddenly? ESPN is cutting to live WNBA games. NBA players are chiming in. Brands are dropping signature shoes. All because of Caitlin Clark. Not Angel Reese. Not anyone else.
What does NBA 2K do?
They slap Angel Reese on the cover.
It’s wild. Actually beyond wild. Straight-up disrespectful. Not just to Clark — and Stewart, and Ionescu, and Wilson — but to anyone paying attention.
And look — I’m not here to hate on Reese. I totally respect her.
Come on, make it make sense. If Caitlin Clark is being disrespected by her league and now NBA 2K, then who exactly is the WNBA thanking for all the new privileges and attention being poured into the league right now?
Seriously.
You thanking Reese? Saying people watch WNBA games because of her?
You’re thanking Caitlin Clark here.
Clark is the most promising young athlete in all of women’s sports. And I’m not exaggerating. It’s the truth.
I looked into it — why NBA 2K would choose Angel Reese for the WNBA edition over literally anyone else. Over Caitlin Clark, who’s dragging the league to new heights. Over MVPs. Over champions. Over players who’ve already accomplished more and actually have the numbers to justify a cover spot.
And the conclusion I came to is very interesting.
Digging In
Before I got to my conclusion, I did some research. I decided to look at the recent history of WNBA athletes featured on 2K covers.
Here’s what I found:
2K22: Candace Parker (legend)
2K23: Diana Taurasi & Sue Bird (two of the greatest to ever do it)
2K24: Sabrina Ionescu (rising star)
2K25: A’ja Wilson (MVP, champion, multiple-time All-Star)
2K26: Angel Reese…?
So let me get this straight.
You’re telling me that the next WNBA cover star — after names like Candace Parker, Diana Taurasi, Sue Bird, A’ja Wilson — is Angel Reese? Really? You’re saying that stat-padding and turning “rebounds” into “mebounds” is now a qualification for being the face of the league’s biggest video game?
What did she do to deserve that honor? Scoring, providing for her team? Making an All-Star team? Okay, cool. But that’s cover material now?
Clark vs. Reese — Side by Side
Caitlin Clark
Games: 49
Minutes: 35.0
Points: 19.0
Rebounds: 5.6
Assists: 8.5
Steals: 1.4
Blocks: 0.7
Turnovers: 5.6
FG%: 41.2
3P%: 33.5
Angel Reese
Games: 52
Minutes: 32.1
Points: 13.4
Rebounds: 13.1
Assists: 2.6
Steals: 1.4
Blocks: 0.5
Turnovers: 2.7
FG%: 39.9
3P%: 21.2
Sure, Reese is grabbing rebounds like crazy. But you also have to watch how she’s getting them. Misses two straight layups, gets her own rebound both times, finally makes it on her third try — boom. “Three rebounds and two points.” It looks great on paper. But come on. We all see what’s happening.
Clark, meanwhile? She’s dropping dimes. Pulling up from near half court. Putting up better scoring numbers, better assist numbers, better shooting percentages — while being hated by the rest of the league.
And that’s not even counting the impact she’s having. Cultural, financial, global. She's not just changing the game. She’s changing the business of women’s basketball.
Even former NFL star running back LeSean McCoy said,
“Angel Reese is a solid player, but let’s not act like she’s the reason people are watching the WNBA. It’s Caitlin Clark. She’s the reason arenas are selling out. She’s the reason these girls are flying private now. That’s the truth.”
And the numbers back him up. When Caitlin Clark played the Chicago Sky in the United Center this season? 19,496 fans. The game had to be played at the NBA’s Chicago Bulls’ arena because so many fans wanted to watch. Not only because of Angel Reese… but because of Caitlin Clark. That’s a measurable impact.
2K General Manager Zak Armitage said,
“NBA 2K26 is celebrating the bold, the confident, and the visionaries — and WNBA All-Star Angel Reese carries all that on and off the court.”
But what about Clark?
2K Picked Hype Over Hoops
Caitlin Clark does all of this. If 2K’s reasoning to put Reese on the cover is seriously because she’s bold and confident, then why didn’t they include Caitlin Clark — who is having a better season overall?
Now don’t get me wrong — Angel Reese is a very good WNBA player. But she’s not averaging more than 15 points per game — and certainly not having a bigger impact than Clark.
There’s a huge problem. Everybody knows Clark is great. However, no one wants to admit it. Why isn’t she getting the credit that she deserves?
The WNBA, the media, and now NBA 2K need to take a long look in the mirror and rethink how they’re making these choices. Because the person responsible for all these flights, pay bumps, and overall success… is not Reese.
Caitlin Clark isn’t just good for the game — she’s why people are even watching.
You celebrate that.
You put it on the cover.
This cover was created by me.