Angel Reese just made history, but not everyone’s celebrating. The Chicago Sky forward landed on the cover of NBA 2K26, joining an elite group of just six WNBA players to receive this honor. Yet with the Sky struggling near the bottom of the standings and Reese’s second-year status, the selection has sparked a heated debate about whether popularity should trump performance.
What Makes Angel Reese’s NBA 2K26 Cover Selection So Controversial?
Celebrations have been rare for the Chicago Sky early in the 2024-25 season, as the team sits at second-to-last in the standings. What promised to be a turnaround season for Sky basketball was derailed due to an injury to floor general Courtney Vandersloot, whose absence creates a gaping hole at point guard.
The bright spot for the Sky’s season has yet again been their star Angel Reese. After a slow start to the season, Reese has turned it up in her last five games, averaging 19.4 points and 16.6 rebounds per game. This rebounding stretch made Reese the first WNBA player to average over 15 rebounds over a five-game stretch.
While rebounding honors are something Reese is familiar with, her latest achievement is a special one for her, as she becomes just the sixth WNBA player to appear on the cover of NBA 2K.
When NBA 2K dropped the cover of their latest edition, NBA 2K26, Reese was ecstatic with the choice as she displayed gratitude for the recognition. “COVERGIRL. THANK YOU.” said Reese as she shared the cover.
COVERGIRL. THANK YOU @nba2k 🥺❤️ https://t.co/pLZprHSvdC
— Angel Reese (@Reese10Angel) July 9, 2025
Reese makes it to the cover of the NBA 2K26 WNBA edition, a feat that has only been achieved by A’ja Wilson, Sue Bird, Diana Taurasi, Sabrina Ionescu, and Candace Parker. Parker was the first WNBA player to appear on the cover of NBA 2K when she was featured on a special edition of NBA 2K22 in honor of the WNBA’s 25th anniversary.
Of course we do everything BIG. Why not debut my signature shoe on the cover of NBA2K ?!?!🙂↔️ https://t.co/pLZprHT33a
— Angel Reese (@Reese10Angel) July 9, 2025
This is only Reese’s second year in the league, but it shows the mass popularity she has gained during her basketball career, right from her LSU days. Reese also used the opportunity to release her signature shoes in a rather unique way, as they made it to the cover of 2K along with the Sky forward.
How Does Reese Compare to Previous NBA 2K Cover Athletes?
While the move is historic for Reese, it inevitably raises a question. Exactly how deserved is this feat?
The aforementioned players who have made it to the cover in the past have all enjoyed legendary careers in the league. Granted, Ionescu has only had one championship to show, but her 3-point shooting and dominant displays with the New York Liberty make a pretty strong case for her.
As for Reese, she has only spent one year in the league and even in that season lost out on the Rookie of the Year award to Caitlin Clark, someone who many expected to be on the cover instead.
Although Reese is undoubtedly popular, her performances do not warrant a place on the cover of NBA 2K. While Reese leads the league in rebounds per game, her 13.2 points per game rank 29th in the league. Her contributions to her teammates aren’t too great either, as she averages 3.9 assists (17th in WNBA). Put all that in context with the Sky’s below-par performances, and it just doesn’t make sense.
Granted, Reese is a budding talent in the league. However, handing an achievement out before it is deserved not just diminishes the value of it but also makes for negative narratives around the league.
