A’ja Wilson’s year of accolades, partnerships, and endorsements now includes a significant video game honor.
The Aces star and 2023 WNBA Finals MVP has been announced as the cover athlete for NBA 2K25’s WNBA edition, as revealed by NBA 2K on Wednesday. Wilson will also feature on the All-Star edition alongside newly crowned NBA champion Jayson Tatum of the Boston Celtics. This will mark the first time both leagues are represented on a 2K cover.
All she does is win 🤩@_ajawilson22 is your @WNBA Edition cover star!
Follow @NBA2K and pre-order today! #BallOverEverything pic.twitter.com/pYjBUNs1rq
— WNBA (@WNBA) July 10, 2024
“I mean, it’s huge,” Wilson expressed. “I feel like I’m ticking off boxes. This is what I mean when I tell young people to dream big. Dream so big because you never know when you’re gonna check them off. And it doesn’t have to happen all at once. It just kind of just happens when it needs to be. When the time is right.
“And when God puts it in your space, you’re going to be able to just attain it. So I was very overwhelmed with joy because I don’t play video games like that. But it was a dream of mine to be the cover athlete because there’s a lot of people that do.”
The game is scheduled for release on Sept. 6, with a total of four editions. Tatum will be featured solo on the standard edition, while the Hall of Fame edition will showcase 2024 inductee Vince Carter on the cover.
Jayson Tatum and A’Ja Wilson are the cover athletes of NBA 2K25!
Vince Carter is the Hall of Fame cover athlete pic.twitter.com/nBzyCipO8E
— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) July 10, 2024
In 2020, NBA 2K introduced WNBA gameplay to its product. Former Ace Candace Parker, a significant inspiration for Wilson, was the game’s first WNBA cover athlete. Parker, now retired after 16 WNBA seasons, graced the 2K22 edition cover in honor of the league’s 25th anniversary. WNBA legends Diana Taurasi and Sue Bird were on the 2K23 WNBA edition cover, while the New York Liberty’s Sabrina Ionescu featured on the cover of the 2K24 WNBA edition.
Wilson’s appearance on the game’s cover follows some significant milestones for the two-time WNBA champion.
In May, she announced a signature shoe deal with Nike and secured a major endorsement deal with Gatorade during the same month.
Aces coach Becky Hammon is thrilled about the continued opportunities coming Wilson’s way. Additionally, her eldest son Cayden will be eager to play the game.
“Oh, I’m definitely buying it,” Hammon shared. “My oldest loves NBA 2K, but he beats me, so I stopped playing with him. I’m like, ‘It’s not a very nice way to play with people. You have to let them have some success if you want them to keep playing.’ But he defeats me.”
“But I’m excited. I think she’s earned every bit of it. The cover I saw was amazing with her and Tatum both showing excitement in a big play, so I thought that was very cool. I’m happy for her.”
Contact Callie Lawson-Freeman at clawsonfreeman@reviewjournal.com. Follow @CallieJLaw on X.
