Angel Reese just landed the biggest honor of her young career, but not everyone’s celebrating. The Chicago Sky forward was named the cover athlete for NBA 2K26’s WNBA edition, joining Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Carmelo Anthony on the game’s covers. What should have been a pure celebration quickly turned into a social media battleground, with fans questioning whether Reese deserved the spotlight over other WNBA stars, especially Caitlin Clark.
Why Are Fans Upset About Angel Reese’s Cover Selection?
The announcement sparked immediate backlash from Caitlin Clark supporters who felt their favorite player was snubbed. Angel Reese succeeds Las Vegas Aces superstar A’ja Wilson, adding another achievement to her resume. However, the honor came with plenty of criticism mixed in with the praise.
🗣️ She’s got next
Angel Reese is your #NBA2K26 WNBA Edition Cover Athlete!
Pre-order NBA 2K26 now! pic.twitter.com/TdwIapG1xU
— NBA 2K (@NBA2K) July 9, 2025
The backlash was swift and pointed. “Should have been Caitlin Clark,” one fan wrote, capturing the sentiment of many Clark supporters.
Should have been Caitlin Clark
— ☀️ (@OwnedBySuns) July 9, 2025
Another fan echoed this frustration, writing, “Over CC? Something smells fishy.” The criticism extended beyond just wanting Clark, with one fan taking aim at the game itself. “Reese over Clark is just another example of how 2k has fallen,” they said.
The sentiment was clear among Clark’s fanbase. One supporter kept it simple, stating that the Fever superstar “should be the cover athlete.”
Clark should be the cover athlete no question…..
— Key Gold ⭐️ SWOO (@keygold_) July 9, 2025
But Clark wasn’t the only alternative name thrown around. Another fan brought up a different candidate, saying, “Naphessa Collier is having an MVP season, but sure give it someone who shoots under 42% and leads the league in turnovers.”
You forgot to add “Bricks Edition” to the bottom of the cover.
— QuiK 🇺🇸 (@QuiKGunZ) July 9, 2025
The criticism got personal when fans targeted Reese’s shooting performance. “You forgot to add ‘Bricks Edition’ to the bottom of the cover,” one tweet read, taking a direct shot at her field goal percentage.
How Did Angel Reese Respond to Her Cover Selection?
While critics voiced their displeasure, Reese was elated about the honor. The Sky forward took to X (formerly Twitter) to share her excitement, posting, “COVERGIRL. THANK YOU @nba2k.”
COVERGIRL. THANK YOU @nba2k 🥺❤️ https://t.co/pLZprHSvdC
— Angel Reese (@Reese10Angel) July 9, 2025
Despite the online controversy, Reese continues to make headlines for her solid sophomore season. The former LSU star has been putting up numbers, averaging 13.2 points and 12.9 rebounds in the 2025 campaign.
However, individual success hasn’t translated to team wins for Chicago. The Sky have struggled to build momentum as the 2025 WNBA season approaches the halfway mark. Chicago sits at 5-13 and is currently on a two-game losing streak.
The team’s upcoming schedule offers a chance to turn things around. The Sky will play their next four games at home, including two contests against Collier and the Minnesota Lynx.
Reese’s next game has already started generating buzz, as it marks her matchup against Paige Bueckers and the Dallas Wings.
Only time will tell if Reese and the Sky can snap their losing streak and start winning games consistently. For now, though, the cover athlete will have to deal with both the honor of being selected and the criticism that came with it.
Bad move 2k.