The popular NBA2K video game franchise continues its elevation of WNBA stars with one of the league’s rising stars on its cover.
Sabrina Ionescu will grace the cover of NBA 2K24 WNBA Edition. Ionescu’s cover marks the third WNBA edition of the video game franchise. The Liberty star told Sports Illustrated’s Wilton Jackson that being featured on the cover of the iconic franchise was a “shock” and like a “pinch me moment” after she grew up playing the video game with her brothers, Edward and Andrei.
“Those battles got intense [with her brothers] … but it’s obviously one of the biggest honors,” Ionescu said. “… Just very thankful for what it’s going to mean for a lot of young girls that are going to be able to see that I am and dream of one day also being on the cover.”
Ionescu, a Bay Area native, grew up in Walnut Creek, Calif., and often played with the Warriors on the video game as she attended numerous Golden State games as a kid.
The two-time All-Star joins legendary Hall of Famer Kobe Bryant, who is featured on NBA 2K24 and this year’s “Black Mamba” edition of the game. Ionescu shared a close relationship with the late Lakers legend and participated in multiple training sessions with the 18-time All-Star.
The 25-year-old said it is an honor to represent the game alongside Bryant and what he’s meant for the game of basketball.
“I can only hope to continue to carry on his legacy,” Ionescu said.
As she seeks to bring a WNBA title to New York, Ionescu knows that it will not be an easy task. Currently, the Liberty (12–4) are second behind the defending-champion Aces in the WNBA standings.
It should come as no surprise that Ionescu said that she would select Las Vegas as the opposing team in the upcoming video game.
“...They’re obviously the best team in the league right now, and so it’d be a huge challenge and obviously a challenge that we face in the league in real life,” Ionescu said. “So I’d love to do it in video game form as well.”
Ionescu is averaging 14.9 points, 4.9 assists and 5.9 rebounds in 14 games for New York this season. She is also tied for second with Parker for the most triple-doubles in WNBA history.
Last year, WNBA legends Sue Bird and Diana Taurasi were featured on the cover of the NBA 2K23 edition of the game. Prior to the dynamic duo, seven-time All-Star and two-time champion Candace Parker became the first woman to sit as the cover athlete of the WNBA’s 25th Anniversary edition of the NBA 2K22 video game.
NBA 2K24 is scheduled for a Sept. 8 release.
