Victor Wembanyama, Clark, and Rose Shine as NBA 2K Cover Stars

WHO:

NY Post - Caitlin Clark is the first WNBA player featured on her own global cover of the NBA edition of the game.

ABC News - Victor Wembanyama of the San Antonio Spurs, Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever, Derrick Rose

RealGM Basketball - Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs

WHAT:

RealGM Basketball - Wembanyama's decision to sign below supermax value could save San Antonio roughly $50 million over the life of the extension.

RealGM Basketball - Wembanyama averaged career highs of 25 points and 11.5 rebounds last season while leading the league with 3.1 blocks per game, helping San Antonio reach its first NBA Finals appearance during his tenure.

RealGM Basketball - Wembanyama is a two-time All-Star and the NBA's first unanimous Defensive Player of the Year.

Fox News - Caitlin Clark scored 27 points and provided 11 assists as the Indiana Fever set a franchise scoring record in a 123-88 victory over the Connecticut Sun.

ABC News - Wembanyama stated, "being on the cover was a dream come true," while Clark said, "is special because this game reaches fans all over the world."

ABC News - Rose commented, "This is a chance to inspire young athletes to stay obsessed with the game," adding, "to show them that when you put in the countless hours of hard work, it rewards you."

ABC News - Wembanyama, Clark, and Rose were revealed as the cover athletes for NBA 2K27.

ABC News - Wembanyama is on the cover of the Standard Edition, Clark is on the Deluxe Edition, and Rose will appear on the limited-time Ultra Edition.

ABC News - The Standard Edition launches on Sept. 4, while Deluxe and Ultra editions launch with early access on Aug. 28.

RealGM Basketball - Wembanyama signed a five-year, $252 million extension below supermax value.

RealGM Basketball - The extension begins with the 2027-28 season and starts at 25 percent of the salary cap.

RealGM Basketball - Wembanyama averaged 25 points and 11.5 rebounds last season, leading the league with 3.1 blocks per game.

RealGM Basketball - Wembanyama earned First-Team All-NBA honors and finished third in MVP voting.

WHERE:

ABC News - New York (location of the announcement)

RealGM Basketball - San Antonio Spurs (team involved)

WHEN:

ABC News - The Standard Edition launches on Sept. 4.

ABC News - Deluxe and Ultra editions launch with early access on Aug. 28.

RealGM Basketball - The extension begins with the 2027-28 season.

WHY:

RealGM Basketball - Wembanyama stated, "I see it, and I feel it with people around me... But mentally, it's not taking a toll on me, I'm just living my career."

RealGM Basketball - Wembanyama stated, "We have a good team, we had a very good playoff run, and we had a very good regular season. But what's even better and greater is our potential."

RealGM Basketball - Wembanyama explained, "The reality of today's NBA is that often, the potential of teams is not fulfilled because of money. I just want to make sure it's never our case."

RealGM Basketball - Wembanyama acknowledged, "Just like every achievement in my career, I wish it happened sooner," expressing a desire for quicker progress in his career.

RealGM Basketball - Wembanyama's decision to sign below supermax value was designed to preserve the Spurs' championship contention window.

RealGM Basketball - Wembanyama stated, "I just want to make sure it's never our case" regarding potential limitations due to money.

HOW:

RealGM Basketball - Maintaining Wembanyama's cap figure at 25 percent rather than supermax level would allow the Spurs to use their full nontaxpayer midlevel exception in the 2027 offseason while remaining below the first luxury tax apron.

RealGM Basketball - Wembanyama's contract structure allows the Spurs to use their full nontaxpayer midlevel exception in the 2027 offseason while remaining below the first luxury tax apron.

RealGM Basketball - Wembanyama's contract structure allows the Spurs to maintain flexibility for trades or additional signings.

Victor Wembanyama's decision to sign a contract extension below supermax value could save the San Antonio Spurs approximately $50 million over the life of the deal. Last season, Wembanyama achieved career highs of 25 points and 11.5 rebounds per game while leading the league with 3.1 blocks, which helped the Spurs reach their first NBA Finals appearance during his time with the team. Wembanyama, a two-time All-Star and the NBA's first unanimous Defensive Player of the Year, expressed that while he feels the excitement around him, it isn't affecting him mentally as he focuses on his career.