NBA 2K24 Cover Athlete is Kobe Bryant, Pre-Orders Underway for 2K Video Game
The much-celebrated NBA 2K video game series has revealed its cover athlete for the highly anticipated NBA 2K24, and it’s none other than the legendary Kobe Bryant. The late great Lakers star follows in the footsteps of Michael Jordan. MJ was on the front of an NBA 2K23 edition and is also a multi-time cover star.
This is the fourth time that the iconic Hall of Famer and Los Angeles Lakers legend is on the cover. The significance of the number 24 in the game’s title is also highly relevant. It represents one of the two jersey numbers Bryant wore throughout his illustrious 20-year NBA career.
NBA 2K24 cover athlete has two different covers
The NBA 2K24 game features three editions: Standard Edition, the Kobe Bryant Edition, and the Black Mamba Edition. The Kobe Bryant edition will portray the five-time NBA champion in his renowned No. 8 jersey, symbolizing the earlier years of his career. On the other hand, the Black Mamba edition will display a side profile of Bryant, presumably representing the latter half of his career as No. 24.
On Thursday, NBA 2K and the NBA Instagram pages revealed a first look at Bryant’s image from the game, with two unique character likenesses of the late great superstar.
Bryant’s association with the NBA 2K video game series traces back to his initial appearance on the cover of NBA 2K10. Since then, he appeared multiple times on 2K covers, including as the cover athlete for the special edition NBA 2K17. Following his tragic passing in January 2020, 2K released the Mamba Forever edition for NBA 2K21 as a poignant tribute to his life and legacy.
Kobe Bryant’s legacy as a basketball superstar is forever etched in the annals of the sport. With an illustrious 20-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers, Bryant captivated fans around the world with his unparalleled skill, tenacity, and unwavering determination.
Tragically, Bryant’s life was cut short in January 2020, but his legacy continues to thrive. He remains one of the greatest basketball players of all time, an icon who left an indelible mark on the sport, and a role model for future generations. Kobe Bryant’s legacy as a superstar transcends the confines of basketball, forever engraving his name in the hearts of fans worldwide.
NBA 2K24 pre-orders live with a September release date
The NBA 2K franchise made its debut in 1999 with NBA 2K, featuring another esteemed Hall of Famer, Allen Iverson, on the cover. In the previous installment, NBA 2K23, the cover athlete was none other than Michael Jordan. Jordan has appeared on the covers of NBA 2K11, 2K12, and 2K16.
Recent NBA cover athletes include Devin Booker on NBA 2K23, Luka Doncic on NBA 2K22, and Damian Lillard on 2K21. All three players are still building their basketball legacies with the NBA season just months away.
The NBA 2K game has come a long way since its first edition, as it now appears on the updated Nintendo Switch, Sony PlayStation 5, and Microsoft Xbox X/S systems.
The NBA 2K24 release date is September 8, 2023, with pre-orders for the game as of Friday, July 7. See more details about NBA 2K24 Crossplay and game editions.
Check out the latest NBA 2K2 pre-order details for prices, features, and game editions.
(Update: Pre-orders are live at NBA 2K as of 11 a.m. Eastern Time/8 a.m. Pacific)
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