Michael Jordan, Shaquille O'Neal, and more: 5 NBA players who have been on the NBA 2K cover the most
NBA 2K23 capitalized on the lack of basketball games to generate hype and excitement for its launch this offseason. It was one of the most significant events of the year for hoops fans as they eagerly waited for the popular video game to give them some basketball action.
One of the most anticipated moments prior to the game's release is seeing which player makes it onto the cover. They are chosen by the 2K Sports team and are often players who have had memorable seasons or are icons in the game.
2K23's cover athlete is Devin Booker and this marked the first time a Phoenix Suns player made it to the front cover of the video game. The backdrop of his photoshoot was the Arizona Desert as the game celebrated the city of Phoenix.
Additionally, there is also a "Michael Jordan Edition" in 2K23 because who better to celebrate the number 23 than his Airness?
NBA 2K23: Michael Jordan Edition will feature His Airness along with a rebuilt version of the beloved Jordan Challenges from NBA 2K11, featuring 15 iconic moments from his career. bit.ly/3y6wwGP https://t.co/yZ7cmXYuv2
Which player has been on the cover of NBA 2K the most?
Several players have been on the cover of NBA 2K but only a handful have had the privilege to be on the cover more than once.
LeBron James, arguably the greatest player of this generation, has notably been on the cover just twice. He was the primary cover athlete in NBA 2K14 after his historic 2013 MVP and championship season, and in 2K19 after he joined the LA Lakers.
@NBA2K
NBA 2k19’s 20th Anniversary edition features LeBron James on the cover! 🎮🏀 @NBA2K https://t.co/YsmyCQ8FE8
Let's take a look at some of the NBA superstars who have been on the cover of 2K the most.
#5 Kevin Durant
Kevin Durant has been on the cover of NBA 2K three times since its inception. The 7-foot demigod was recently featured on 2K22's NBA 75th Anniversary Edition alongside legends Dirk Nowitzki and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
Kevin Durant on the NBA’s 75th anniversary edition cover of NBA 2K22 https://t.co/dGeP12wlAX
Durant's first-ever appearance on the cover was in NBA 2K13. He shared the cover with Derrick Rose and Blake Griffin, with the trio viewed as up-and-coming superstars at the time. Durant was the sole athlete on the cover of 2K15, after his 2014 MVP campaign.
#4 Shaquille O'Neal
Shaquille O'Neal has also been on the cover of the game three times.
He was first featured on the cover of NBA 2K6 after joining the Miami Heat and then again in 2K7 when he won his fourth title in 2006. He has been a popular figure even after retirement and his list of endorsements is endless.
"Diesel" has been on the cover of several other games such as NBA Live, NBA Hoopz and more.
Funny moment from NBA Awards @NBAonTNT: @TheJetOnTNT to @SHAQ: 'Have you ever been on the cover of a video game?' 'I don't think so.'
Shaq has been on the cover of NBA Live 96, NBA 2K6, NBA 2K7, NBA Showtime: NBA on NBC, NBA Hoopz, NBA Inside Drive 2004, NBA 2K18, & Shaq Fu. https://t.co/tmJssGZXrU
His most recent cover was in 2K18 when the game released two Legend Editions. Shaq was seen in his old Heat uniform in the "Legend Edition," and in his Purple and Gold uniform in "Legend Edition Gold." The game chose to use his signature dunking action as their cover choice.
O'Neal was on the cover of three annual versions but it could be counted as four covers in total considering he made two different ones in 2K18.
#3 Kobe Bryant
The late great Kobe Bryant has also been on the cover three times. However, similar to his former teammate Shaquille O'Neal, he effectively made it onto four different covers because he was featured twice in NBA 2K21.
2K Sports honored the "Black Mamba" after his unfortunate demise in January 2020 by featuring him on two "Mamba Forever Editions." One had his No. 8 jersey and the other one featured his No. 24 jersey.
Bryant's first-ever cover feature was in 2K10, after he won his fourth championship ring and first Finals MVP trophy. He was featured again in "NBA 2K17: Legend Edition" after hanging up his sneakers following an illustrious 20-year career.
Additionally, 2K Sports released a 2K10 version of Bryant in a New York Knicks uniform after he was rumored to arrive in NYC. It was similar to Kyrie Irving's covers in a Cleveland and Boston jersey from a few years ago.
The cover with Bryant in a New York Knicks kit never made the shelves. However, Knicks superfan Spike Lee managed to get his hands on the rare cover.
It was once rumored that Kobe could be headed to the Knicks, and NBA 2K10 made an alternate cover should that have happened. He "reluctantly" signed a copy of that very cover for Spike Lee. 🤯
(📸: IG/officialspikelee) https://t.co/FuiY7SgTlE
#2 Michael Jordan
Michael Jordan has been on the cover four times already and we can expect arguably the greatest of all-time to make the covers in the future as well.
Fans never get tired of seeing "His Airness" and in fact, the famous "Jordan Challenges" are one of the most hyped features in the game. Players get to relive the legend's highlights and recreate moments from his illustrious career.
This includes the double-nickel (55) at Madison Square Garden and the Flu Game in the 1997 NBA Finals.
The game didn't exist during Jordan's playing days, but 2K Sports have certainly shown him respect over the years. He was first featured in NBA 2K11 and was the sole athlete on the cover. 2K11 was the first time the game introduced the "Jordan Challenges."
2K Sports released three covers for 2K12, starring Hall of Famers Magic Johnson, Larry Bird and Michael Jordan.
NBA 2K12 Michael Jordan (MJ 23) Cover http://t.co/5l0iJWEb
MJ was once again featured as the cover athlete in 2K16, on the "Special Edition" cover. 2K16 saw several cover stars such as Stephen Curry, Anthony Davis and James Harden, but Jordan got his own edition cover.
And lastly, as mentioned above, he is on the cover of the 2K23: Michael Jordan Edition.
#1 Allen Iverson
Allen Iverson has been on the cover of 2K the most times, even before the game gained global popularity.
The first four editions of the game were released by Sega and not 2K Sports, while the fifth one was made by ESPN. NBA 2K was first introduced to the world in November 1999, back when Iverson's braids and crossovers were gaining popularity.
He was chosen as the first-ever cover athlete for the video game (NBA 2K) and then made the cover for the next four years in a row up until 2K4.
20 years ago today, Allen Iverson graced the cover of the very first release of NBA 2K. https://t.co/ztohd4RGB7
Iverson won the MVP award in 2001 and the game doubled-down on his fame. Although Jordan has four covers to his name and could one day overtake AI with respect to the number of covers, he wasn't featured consecutively.
Iverson will likely remain the only player to ever be featured on the cover five years in a row.