Angel Reese Celebrates NBA 2K Cover: “I’m the Star This Time… Sorry, Caitlin Clark!”

In a league that thrives on star power, bold personalities, and the ever-present hum of rivalries, Angel Reese just added another milestone to her already impressive young career. The Chicago Sky forward, known for her swagger on the court and her unfiltered confidence off it, has been announced as the face of NBA 2K26’s “WNBA Edition.” For Reese, it’s not just a personal achievement—it’s a statement.

The news broke on Wednesday morning, sending ripples across both the basketball world and the gaming community. NBA 2K general manager Zak Armitage explained the decision, telling TMZ Sports, “NBA 2K26 is celebrating the bold, the confident, and the visionaries—and WNBA All-Star Angel Reese carries all that on and off the court. In her sophomore year in the WNBA, Angel Reese has made waves, created impactful conversations, and inspired the next generation. She’s a storyteller and has helped the WNBA grow its audience.”

Armitage went on to highlight Reese’s ability to make her presence felt “on the biggest stages, including in gaming,” and said the 2K team was “honored to have her join the 2K family.” For Reese, who has always embraced the spotlight, the honor was cause for celebration—and a little friendly shade.

“I’m the star this time… Sorry, Caitlin Clark!” Reese joked on her social media, referencing her longtime rival and fellow WNBA rookie sensation, Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever. The playful jab was classic Reese—unapologetic, competitive, and delivered with a wink.

The Face of a Franchise—and a Rivalry

The NBA 2K franchise is no stranger to featuring basketball’s biggest names on its covers. This year, NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander graces the standard edition, while Hall of Famer Carmelo Anthony headlines the “Superstar Edition.” But it’s the WNBA cover that has sparked the most conversation—and, in some corners, controversy.

Many fans expected Clark, whose record-shattering college career and immediate impact in the WNBA have made her a household name, to be the obvious choice. Clark’s jersey sales have broken records, and her games have drawn unprecedented television ratings. Yet, the decision to go with Reese has reignited the biggest rivalry in women’s basketball—a rivalry that began long before either player set foot on a WNBA court.

It all started at the 2023 NCAA Championship game, where Reese’s LSU Tigers faced off against Clark’s Iowa Hawkeyes. In a game that would become an instant classic, Reese’s Tigers prevailed, but the headlines were dominated by her viral “You Can’t See Me” celebration—a taunt borrowed from WWE star John Cena and directed pointedly at Clark. The moment was instantly polarizing: some called it unsportsmanlike, others celebrated it as the kind of fiery competitiveness women’s sports needs.

Since then, the Reese-Clark dynamic has only grown more compelling. Both were drafted into the WNBA in 2024, both have become faces of their franchises, and both have been at the center of seemingly every conversation about the league’s surging popularity.

Not Just About One Person

While Clark’s impact on the game is undeniable, Reese has never been shy about asserting her own role in the WNBA’s meteoric rise. In June 2024, she told reporters, “It’s not just because of one person. It’s because of me, too, and I want you to realize that. It’s not just because of one person.” The comment was widely seen as a response to the narrative that Clark alone is responsible for the league’s newfound visibility.

Reese’s confidence isn’t just talk. On the court, she’s a force—rebounding, defending, and scoring with a physicality and flair that have made her a fan favorite in Chicago. Off the court, she’s become a cultural icon, using her platform to speak out on everything from social justice to fashion. She’s embraced her role as a role model and as a disruptor, unafraid to challenge the status quo.

The NBA 2K cover is just the latest validation of Reese’s star power. In the game’s promotional materials, she’s front and center, decked out in Sky blue and gold, her signature braids flying as she soars for a rebound. For young girls—and boys—who pick up the game this fall, Reese will be the face they see when they load up the WNBA edition.

The Clark Factor

Still, the decision to go with Reese over Clark hasn’t gone unnoticed. Social media lit up with reactions, with some fans expressing surprise—and even outrage—that Clark wasn’t chosen. After all, Clark’s arrival in the WNBA has been nothing short of seismic. She’s drawn sellout crowds in every city, and her highlight-reel shots have made her a viral sensation. Yet, despite her popularity, she finished ninth in All-Star voting among her peers, a sign that her reception within the league is more complicated than her public image might suggest.

Some are calling it jealousy; others say it’s just the natural tension that comes with stardom. Either way, the conversation has only fueled the rivalry between Reese and Clark, a rivalry that’s quickly becoming the most compelling storyline in women’s sports.

It’s worth noting that previous WNBA cover athletes, like A’ja Wilson and Candace Parker, were met with little controversy. Both are league MVPs and respected veterans, their selections seen as no-brainers. But Reese and Clark represent something new: a generational shift, a changing of the guard, and the rise of a new kind of superstar—one who is as comfortable on TikTok as she is in the paint.

More Than a Game

For Reese, the cover is about more than just personal glory. It’s a recognition of her journey, her impact, and her vision for the future of women’s basketball. “I want little girls to see me and know they can do anything,” she said in a recent interview. “I want them to know they can be bold, they can be confident, and they can be themselves.”

As the WNBA continues to grow in popularity, moments like this matter. They signal to the next generation that women’s sports are worthy of the spotlight, worthy of celebration, and worthy of being at the center of the conversation.

Angel Reese may have the cover this year, but the rivalry with Caitlin Clark—and the debate over who truly defines this era of women’s basketball—is far from over. For now, though, Reese can bask in the glow of her latest achievement.

After all, as she so playfully put it, “I’m the star this time… Sorry, Caitlin Clark!” And in a league built on boldness, that’s exactly the kind of energy the WNBA needs.