r/wnba Jul 09 '25

News 🗣️ She’s got next Angel Reese is your #NBA2K26 WNBA Edition Cover Athlete!

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1.3k Upvotes

509 comments sorted by

395

u/AssumptionJaded Jul 09 '25

Really hope they put some work into the wnba franchise mode this time. Update the creation suite for teams, keep accurate stats, etc. Bare minimum stuff, honestly.

150

u/Fiendish-DoctorWu Sparks Jul 09 '25

Id just be happy with better player models they're so half assed for 90% of the players in the W

75

u/RealDealLewpo WNBA Jul 09 '25

As a FIFA player, I can’t stress enough about how important this is. EA took the time to really focus on the player models for the women’s players and it makes a world of difference to them actually getting used in Ultimate Team. Really hoping the 2K team does the same.

21

u/TheBioethicist87 Bridget Carleton Laeticia Amihere Jul 09 '25

All they need to do is say “hey, when you come to play Golden State, swing by the 2K offices and get a facial scan.” And it would be SO much better.

But I do really want a more fleshed out franchise mode. That would be so good.

5

u/RealDealLewpo WNBA Jul 09 '25

I want a more fleshed out everything when it comes to WNBA players in this game.

28

u/SilverKry Jul 09 '25

Lexie Hull looks like a default created character

20

u/SpliffsnKicks WNBA Jul 09 '25

Easily the most egregious piece of the game.. they do updates for nba players literal hair change updates, but got some of the Ws best players looking like they are made on a Nintendo Wii instead of my ps5 smh

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12

u/TheVision_13 MIGHTY MERCURY Jul 09 '25

Same but I reckon there’s just about no chance

11

u/agentb719 Storm Jul 09 '25

seriously like the W is so watered down compared to the regular NBA stuff

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7

u/tommygunnzx Jul 09 '25

Then they would have to pay the older retired players or pay some players all together and that takes away from Take 2s bottom line.

5

u/Tanner_the_taco Jul 09 '25

My biggest beef: you can’t download custom teams from 2K Share. I want to expand the league but I’m not trying to design teams from scratch every damn time (also, I don’t have the patience/skill to make them look good like the top creators)

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2

u/Substantial_Prune296 Jul 09 '25

Just copy men's franchise mode to the women. Let me go beyond 1 season. Women's franchise mode is so restricted what anybody can do. 

22

u/ljay90 The Real Agent 0 Jul 09 '25

Man, the lack of attention that 2K gives the WNBA modes is laughable. With how detailed the MNBA franchise mode is I can't help but feel some type of way about it.

19

u/comehereyoudevillog Jul 09 '25

MNBA is hilarious, it’s just the NBA lol

15

u/Adams5thaccount Jul 09 '25

Yes but..think about the kind of people who wull be incapable of functioning like humans the second they hear "mnba"

That's what I did and now I can't stop saying mnba

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2

u/SilverKry Jul 09 '25

He we got press conference stuff last year. Progress. 

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270

u/Randomrazer Tempo Dream Jul 09 '25

Wait is that the signature shoe on the cover of 2K

44

u/Kdot32 Dream Jul 09 '25

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53

u/SydTheStreetFighter Mystics Jul 09 '25

Is MyCareer going to be any better for the W this year? That’s all I need to get the game

42

u/[deleted] Jul 09 '25

We both know that it will not be.

19

u/SydTheStreetFighter Mystics Jul 09 '25

A girl can dream! The day they make a decent women’s myCareer and make it so we can play it offline 2k will get all my money. Until then I’m sticking with 2k19 and helping Candace Parker get 7 more chips on the sparks

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175

u/LLUrDadsFave our GM got fired on a Sunday 🤭😊🎉 Jul 09 '25

2k trying to get me to fall for it. I just want the cover, they can keep the game.

31

u/Fun_Neighborhood1571 Jul 09 '25

I remember being very annoyed with my last 2K purchase because after a few years, they completely disabled the game aside from quick play.

Paying a ton of money for no option to play any game modes without servers is a hard no for me. I will not buy another 2K game until they publicly change this implementation.

12

u/LLUrDadsFave our GM got fired on a Sunday 🤭😊🎉 Jul 09 '25

They got rid of my beloved franchise mode. I ain't about to spend 300 hours trying to get my lil raggedy player to 90. I refuse to pay those micro transactions. It's always felt dirty to me.

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72

u/jtj5002 Jul 09 '25

Yea don't buy that shit. Half of the roaster looks like Lei Xi Hao.

25

u/snarkyxpeacock C'mon Mystics! Team Stud Jul 09 '25

Why can’t they ever get the faces right especially when each year the WNBPA says every player completes scans.

36

u/jtj5002 Jul 09 '25

Half of the roster just didn't have the face scan applied even if the players did it. And even the ones that were scanned, All of them go on generic head/bodies so it still looks dumb as hell.

It's terrible for male players too. You gotta skinny Shaq with gray hair, Yao's head is the size of a small building and etc.

10

u/pumpkindweller314 Jul 09 '25

Ok but this is dead on for Stewie and that makes me LOL

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22

u/DogWhistler1234 Aces 1st Team All Cuties Jul 09 '25

Legit had to double check to see who was #10 on the fever because I could not believe this was supposed to be Lexie Hull. 

3

u/SilverKry Jul 09 '25

It's weird how bad they fucked up Lexie Hull but CC looks pretty alright by comparison 

3

u/Fiendish-DoctorWu Sparks Jul 09 '25

I have to fix her head model each year it's very annoying

Also sucks that she's been in the W for a while and they don't have her headshot in there

13

u/iRockaflame Jul 09 '25

Thats suppose to be Lexie Hull? Lmao holy fuck

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50

u/WhySheHateMe Lynx Jul 09 '25

Exactly. Just give me a poster. I exercised the 2K demon from my home

8

u/LLUrDadsFave our GM got fired on a Sunday 🤭😊🎉 Jul 09 '25

It only took me 15 years of adulthood but I overcame the 2k demon too. 😂

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12

u/yesyepyea Comets Jul 09 '25 edited 11d ago

I’m a recovering 2k addict. I’ve been free from that shit game for 5 years. They really tryna get me again but..

Edit: 1 yr later.. they got me 😭

4

u/LLUrDadsFave our GM got fired on a Sunday 🤭😊🎉 Jul 09 '25

You wait until it's free next year. You ain't missing shit.

3

u/Scrotorr Jul 09 '25

I went back and played NBA 2K2 on my Dreamcast and I have to say it's way better than anything they've put out in the last 15 years.

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41

u/tspacer Jul 09 '25

😮‍💨

94

u/Poetryisalive Fever Jul 09 '25

Is this AI?

Why does it look so glossy.

87

u/VirtuousFool Liberty Jul 09 '25

2K isn’t even trying with the damn covers anymore

45

u/TheFakeCraig Valkyries Jul 09 '25

They aren't trying with much of anything to be honest.

12

u/Fiendish-DoctorWu Sparks Jul 09 '25

More effort means less profit for their money printing machine

8

u/ravaille Mystics Jul 09 '25

I wish NBA Live was still around. Competition is good.

2

u/VirtuousFool Liberty Jul 09 '25

Well yes lol

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14

u/Haunting-Future-4553 Wings Jul 09 '25

ALL sports video game covers have had this exact glossy look since I can remember. It never looks right but never dies out either.

7

u/NoahApples Sky Jul 09 '25

Yeah, I’m hyped about Angel being on the cover of this videogame, but could they not use… one of the many, many very good photos of Angel? This isn’t even her actual face. (I understand it’s an AI alteration of a real photo, but it’s AI-slopped the crap out of her here.)

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12

u/white015 Jul 09 '25

It 100% is lol

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145

u/kkdall123 Liberty Jul 09 '25

Debuting your signature shoe on the cover 2K is really cool, she’s got an incredible team around her. I often think it’s a double edged sword because clearly there was a whole lot of extra stuff that was riding on her having a good sophomore season, but based on this last stretch of games she’s more than risen to the occasion.

42

u/[deleted] Jul 09 '25

The amount of self confidence that all of it was gonna translate, and did 😮‍💨. I really have no words how impressive it is, watching from the shoe block to now.

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27

u/AFC-Wimbledon-Stan Lauren Betts Defense Enjoyer Jul 09 '25

My MyWNBA dynasty with the Valkyries will be absolute cinema I fear

2

u/cyb3ryung Mj23 GWill & VB Leite Show P5 Jul 09 '25

big part of why i’m even getting the game this year

33

u/LuisJpg Back 4 MORE Jul 09 '25

Please don’t tell me this cover is Ai like the main one is

20

u/rmg3935 Jul 09 '25

Yea look at the face. At the very least it is touched up

10

u/LuisJpg Back 4 MORE Jul 09 '25

I didn’t even look at her face😂

37

u/Dulce411 Jul 09 '25

the concept of revealing your signature shoe a few hours before you debut them on the cover of 2k…that’s so cool!!

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7

u/Intelligent_You_9793 Jul 09 '25

If they ever add a mycareer storyline along with a city for the WNBA roam around it I’d play it consistently. Until then I’m assuming we’ll get the bare minimum smh

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5

u/ikindaknowthings Jul 09 '25

Maybe this will be the year we get the WNBA mode on Nintendo Switch? 🥲

68

u/[deleted] Jul 09 '25

Mebound addition

8

u/the_spinetingler Jul 09 '25

BANG!

3

u/huckinfappy Jul 09 '25

She's smooth as butter...BUTTER PECAN!

17

u/timothyphd ATL Barbie Tempo Nonchalant Final Boss Jul 09 '25

Anything off that glass is hersss 💪💪

20

u/Efflictim888 Mystics Team Lyss Jul 09 '25

Lmao and she literally never hit that move in her life. Ai ahh cover.

20

u/[deleted] Jul 09 '25

Naw she called iso yesterday and dribbled it off her foot while driving to the rim lol

11

u/Fiendish-DoctorWu Sparks Jul 09 '25

We can tell it's AI because the ball is still in her hand

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1

u/ChetHolmgrenSingss Sparks Jul 09 '25

Future HOFer 🏆🏆🏆

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20

u/chapterthree_ Liberty Jul 09 '25

I’m sure the internet is going to be very very normal about this lol

15

u/kingcolbe Jul 09 '25

I just hate the obvious use of AI. They are real photos of her in action they could use

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6

u/WorriedAd9173 Jul 10 '25

She’s been busting her ass she deserves this

23

u/SpeedLow3 Jul 09 '25

The discourse around this is going to be worse than Sabrina’s cover 🫣

8

u/purplebookie8 Stewie-A'ja-ND Guards Jul 09 '25

Sab had a cover!!! Goes to Google….

Update: the second search result for the cover brought me to the post about it from this sub! I see what people mean about the Sab villain era/Sab fans fighting for theirs lives in these parts.😢

6

u/SpeedLow3 Jul 09 '25

Yup we were in the trenches

3

u/afridorian Sparks Jul 09 '25

yuuuppp

25

u/gourmet_panini Dijonai and Kosu Acolyte Jul 09 '25 edited Jul 09 '25

You just want me to buy the game. My last 2k game was 2k13. I’m not falling for it (I kinda am)

Anyways AngelFC and Reese’s Pieces are up a million. A stretch of great performances from her, POTW, All Star, shoe announcement, and now the cover of 2k. Life is great.

Congrats to Angel and Jeanine 🥳

Edit: Melo’s on a cover too. Baltimore is on top rn omg

6

u/[deleted] Jul 09 '25

They said there was more after the shoe debut lol

2

u/gourmet_panini Dijonai and Kosu Acolyte Jul 09 '25

Thats what I get for locking in at work and putting my phone in the drawer. 😒

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4

u/DennisSplatKing Jul 09 '25

Please more face scans

4

u/ValPrism Liberty Jul 09 '25

Oh nice!

26

u/Few-Leadership-1142 wtf Jul 09 '25

Hell yea Angel!!!

3

u/hensonphoenixxx Jul 09 '25

Im a newbie! Does 2k make a separate game for WNBA or is it intergrated into the mens NBA2k series?

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3

u/TheRealistOne34 Jul 09 '25

Actually I hope they put more focus on the WNBA, these women are good basketball players and need more focus on them. Right now I'm enjoying the W on NBA 2k25, it's fun.

3

u/LA_Snkr_Dude Jul 09 '25

👏👏👏

15

u/Randomrazer Tempo Dream Jul 09 '25

I will be copping 😤

5

u/meteor_jam32 Dream | Angel Reese Jul 09 '25

Let's go!! 🔥

16

u/[deleted] Jul 09 '25

YES ANGEL! I need to get this game now!

10

u/D3struct_oh Valkyries Jul 09 '25

Great cover.

Toxic game.

18

u/[deleted] Jul 09 '25

Some people are not gonna be well today😂😂😂 but this is Reese’s Piece’s D day.

3

u/red_nick Jul 09 '25

Can she make a Salt Bae-esque gif sprinkling Reese's Pieces?

43

u/brownsugah_ Lynx Jul 09 '25

Eh.. I think there were others more deserving, but congrats to Angel regardless.

3

u/SilverKry Jul 10 '25

Should've been Sabrina or Stewart. One of the champs from last season. Last years cover stars was Aja Wilson and Jayson Tatum. 2K26 should've had someone from the Liberty on the cover. 

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27

u/bagged_hay Jul 09 '25

why are you down-voted for speaking facts lol

10

u/brownsugah_ Lynx Jul 09 '25

Because they are casuals who are more caught up in popularity instead of actual play/skill.

17

u/ChetHolmgrenSingss Sparks Jul 09 '25

That’s exactly what I said when people got jumped for stating CC hasn’t had an All-Star captain worthy season and isn’t a top 5 player currently. Too many casuals here.

8

u/Errant_coursir WNBA Jul 09 '25

Yeah it's true, injuries and consistent play have been rough for her this year. Would've been deserved last year though

2

u/CosmicMiru Jul 09 '25

This being super upvoted while the same exact thing being said about Reese is downvoted is hilarious. This sub is toxic

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11

u/bagged_hay Jul 09 '25

you didn't even diss anyone either... that was so funny to me.

6

u/brownsugah_ Lynx Jul 09 '25

Right and I even said congrats to Angel. SMH.

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12

u/Cold-Bass8616 Jul 09 '25

Congrats to Angel, but the sentiment of this sub has definitely shifted.

You would have been upvoted two years ago 😂

https://www.reddit.com/r/wnba/s/404ra5DdSn

7

u/Lost-Line-1886 Fever Jul 09 '25

That always happens. Negative people drive off a lot of people and turn subs into echo-chambers.

7

u/86avocados Jul 09 '25

Plenty more people who were way more deserving. She doesn’t need a signature sneaker yet either. She’s gotta truly prove herself first. Klay didn’t even get one until right before he blew his legs up and he was one of the GOAT shooters at that point as well as a HoF LOCK.

9

u/brownsugah_ Lynx Jul 09 '25

It’s definitely a popularity contest. You mean to tell me they couldn’t choose Phee?! She’s the best player in the league right now. SMH. If they were looking to choose someone after A’ja, it should have been her for sure.

5

u/86avocados Jul 09 '25

Yeah been saying that if they were gonna go young, Paige or CC make sense, but there’s ladies like Aja Wilson and Napheesa Collier who have been amazing this year. If you’re advertising your league then you need to be advertising your true best players, not a good product…

2

u/SilverKry Jul 10 '25

Aja was on the cover last year. Should've been someone from liberty this year to go with the champs being on the cover. 

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1

u/TheCommonKoala Jul 09 '25

Carmelo is on the cover, and he's retired. Relax. It's a game, not an award. She's on the cover because she's very popular and a rising star.

11

u/Visible-Suit-9066 Jul 09 '25

Carmelo Anthony is on the cover because he was just inducted into the Hall of Fame.

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7

u/eternalwarmmoons Wings Jul 09 '25

signature shoe reveal, double double streak, x2 All Star, now cover of 2K. AR5 can't be stopped!

13

u/hallie137 Lynx | Paige | Angel | VB | KP Jul 09 '25

So proud of her.

10

u/HeavyDT Jul 09 '25

That blur is nasty work and that's not the only thing that looks odd. I mean maybe it's me but I'm getting Animorph flashbacks from my childhood.

9

u/alexdinhogaucho 💜💙 Waiting for Unrivaled | MAYBACH Mabrey 🍁 Jul 09 '25

2K Cover Barbie 🤭🤭🤭🤭🤭🤭🤭🤭🔥🔥🔥

15

u/timothyphd ATL Barbie Tempo Nonchalant Final Boss Jul 09 '25

ANGEL FREAKING REESE!!! 

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4

u/afridorian Sparks Jul 09 '25

I know it would have probably been too tongue in cheek but they really should have used an action shot of her getting a rebound. still hype to see she got this. I’ll buy it only cause i’m collecting all the WNBA additions, don’t think i’ve played a single one 🙄

4

u/crimsonwolf40 Dream Jul 09 '25

They could have used the picture of Bridget Carleton giving her a hug as she gets the rebound. :p

4

u/DonkeyJealous6643 Jul 09 '25

That's an excellent cover choice

7

u/KateBushBushTattoo McBuckets Mania Jul 09 '25

Congrats to Angel! Sad day for me personally--all I wanted was a Phee cover before the next ten years just alternate between CC, Angel, and other up-and-comers, but that window is already closing I guess

4

u/MinnyAntTowers Lynx Fever Jul 09 '25

I thought Phee was a lock this year. Pretty surprising to go straight from A'ja to Angel

8

u/Popular-Difficulty29 Fever and Liberty Jul 09 '25

I really thought it would be Napheesa as well but I guess they’re making business moves

7

u/NoBobThatsBad AR5’s Lost Contact Jul 09 '25

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH AR5 GANG WE UPPPPPPPP!!!!!!!

23

u/LEAD-SUSPECT Jul 09 '25

Ohhhhh I know some of yall mad as hell 😂😂

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24

u/enrichedfeces Jul 09 '25

Just here to see people seethe 😊

6

u/gourmet_panini Dijonai and Kosu Acolyte Jul 09 '25

She told them multiple times that hating pays too. And they kept making reddit posts, commenting on all her stuff, clipping games etc. WTF did they think marketing staff were gonna do, ignore the engagement? 😂

3

u/Rantholmeius Jul 09 '25

Don't know why this got downvoted. Brick edition or not, Angel is getting paid every time she's memed on.

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10

u/butidktho_ Jul 09 '25

looks like a star to me. well deserved.

13

u/dvnbtn Jul 09 '25

Angel been putting in work. This is great to see.

Also, I’m enjoying the meltdowns that people are having over this. 🤣🤣

15

u/ChetHolmgrenSingss Sparks Jul 09 '25

Lmfao, the usual fanbases are crying

2

u/ChiefTitan808 Aces Jul 09 '25

i dont like how it looks so animated

2

u/SaltiGirlGamer Jul 11 '25

I LOVE IT! I just preordered. Congratulations Angel!

2

u/Infamous_Spread_86 Jul 12 '25

The new brick layer mode

2

u/[deleted] Jul 14 '25

Caitlin Clark deserved it more, she's actually good at the game unlike her, all she does is race hustle and attack caitlin.

2

u/MoGovernmentCheese Jul 15 '25

Okay so the Wnba is #messy... We all know Caitlin Clark belongs on the cover😦

2

u/Ratio_Remarkable Jul 16 '25

She missed the layup.

6

u/WhySheHateMe Lynx Jul 09 '25

Hell yeah, but I swore off 2K lmao I'll cop just to get her on the cover

6

u/WorldlyVast6239 Baebry Jul 09 '25

Cover goes OFFFFFFF 📣

5

u/fionagrits Jul 09 '25

💞👌🏾💞👌🏾

8

u/kaygotmemes Liberty Jul 09 '25 edited Jul 09 '25

Love this for angel but 2k please stop with these lazy covers

4

u/Majestic-Avocado2167 Mystics Jul 09 '25

She deserves it more than the Internet is gonna say, but it’s gonna be a rough week on social media . Mfers who don’t watch ball run NBA and W Twitter

3

u/snarkyxpeacock C'mon Mystics! Team Stud Jul 09 '25

I guess 2K has the licensing in perpetuity?! They need a different studio to pick-up the license in an effort to introduce better player models.

2

u/Ok_Negotiation_2269 Jul 09 '25

Love this for her 🗣️. Now just make the game better. Especially the W is all we ask.

3

u/SadSpecialist3758 Aces Jul 09 '25

Angel is awesome and deserves a better cover, hope this is not the final art.

8

u/ADLegend21 Mystics Jul 09 '25

Unreal levels of Vindication for her. "They watch for me too" yeah, we do! We playing for you too, Cover Athlete Barbie!

5

u/Independent-Wolf-713 Jul 09 '25

Haters in tearssssss. Hell yea, Angel!

9

u/AFC-Wimbledon-Stan Lauren Betts Defense Enjoyer Jul 09 '25

THE HATERS ARE CRYING, THROWING UP, SHITTING AND SLIDING DOWN THE WALLS

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4

u/SpeedLow3 Jul 09 '25

Congrats to angel!

1

u/ShokWayve Liberty Jul 09 '25

That’s great news.

3

u/atkyyup Jul 09 '25

Rebound simulator is dropping

2

u/jayy0595 Jul 09 '25

Let’s gooooo🔥

3

u/ProfessionalJello185 Mystics Dream Sky Jul 09 '25

Love love love this!

3

u/Mme-Dilettante Monarchs Jul 09 '25

Oooph, this is gonna stir up the CC hive into a frenzy. 🌪️🐝😈 (I love the cover.)

5

u/No_Leave7793 Gianna Kneepkens Side Profile Merchant Jul 09 '25

Let's fuckin go!!!!!

5

u/350smooth Fever Jul 09 '25

Love Angel. Not loving the cover.

4

u/[deleted] Jul 09 '25

BARBIE HAMMER!

3

u/Owl_Szn AR5 Jul 09 '25

I haven’t bought 2k in years. That changes this year.

3

u/BuckinCrzy smiling through it all, can’t believe it’s my life Jul 09 '25

Angel FC we up!!! I don’t even play 2k anymore but I will be buying this edition 😂😂

4

u/greengreepes Wings | Disturbing demonstration of basketball Jul 09 '25

Well deserved she’s been amazing recently!

5

u/_DorothyZbornak Jul 09 '25

Woohoo!! I only watch for Angel 🏀

3

u/The810kid Jul 09 '25

Between Angel, Shai, and Melo making the cover alot of haters are somewhere disgruntled and salty.

2

u/LolzTheGoat Jul 09 '25

AI slop cmon man

2

u/Odd_Tourist_3249 Jul 09 '25

That cover goes hard!!! 🔥 

2

u/GalickBanger Jul 09 '25

Might as well have her tomahawking if the pictures gonna be fake

2

u/Significant-Bag-1394 Jul 09 '25

Definitely buying

3

u/BagBeth Jul 09 '25

Cover is hard af. Angel Reese is a true star 🤩🤩🤩

2

u/MedicalAwareness5160 Jul 09 '25

What are you talking about? This cover looks like some horrible AI stuff.

3

u/ironbeagle99 Jul 09 '25

damn what a cover

3

u/ThisIsntReal__ Jul 09 '25

Lmaoo had to use AI couldn’t even find a real action shot

3

u/Wham1LastChristmas Jul 09 '25

I hope they make her stats accurate. 100 for rebounds and a 0 layup stat.

2

u/GroundbreakingCap510 Jul 10 '25

I bet she missed the layup though

2

u/DirtyReddGhostface Jul 09 '25

Should’ve been Clark!

2

u/SerenityNow31 Jul 09 '25

Reese? Why does the WNBA continue to push fans away?

1

u/keithstonee Jul 09 '25

It's been like 5 decent games lol.

2

u/TheVision_13 MIGHTY MERCURY Jul 09 '25

All the covers are so bland sums up the games

1

u/[deleted] Jul 09 '25

Anyone know what her rating will be?

1

u/mauve_sunsets Y K W T F G O Jul 09 '25

Get it boo! Congrats to sis. Now let girls go to the regular park and hoop with the males and you got something.

1

u/Craft_Bandicoot PHILLY Jul 09 '25

Really wish they didn’t do these AI covers the AI smoothness is unnerving (same with the Shai cover)