Candace Parker became the first WNBA player to appear as a cover athlete in the NBA 2K series with NBA 2K22.
Parker appeared on the special WNBA 25th Anniversary Edition of NBA 2K22 as a member of the Chicago Sky. The game therefore had multiple cover editions: Luka Dončić led the standard editions, while the anniversary edition highlighted Parker and the WNBA’s milestone season.
This was a landmark moment for representation in the franchise, which had featured NBA players and legends on its principal covers for many years. Parker’s appearance should not be confused with the game’s standard cover or with other prominent WNBA players who were included in NBA 2K gameplay and marketing.
NBA 2K22 was released in 2021 and was the first installment to make a WNBA player a cover athlete. The choice also connected the game’s cover design to the WNBA’s 25th anniversary, rather than replacing Luka Dončić as the standard-edition athlete.