Derrick Rose will serve as the cover athlete for the Ultra Edition of NBA 2K27, according to a trailer released Wednesday [3].
The selection of Rose, a former league MVP, alongside current stars, signals a strategy to appeal to both nostalgic fans and the new generation of basketball players. By diversifying the cover athletes across different game versions, the publisher targets multiple segments of the sporting community.
The official trailer, posted to IGN’s YouTube channel, introduces the different versions of the game and their respective stars [4]. Victor Wembanyama will headline the Standard Edition, while Caitlin Clark will appear on the Deluxe Edition [5]. Rose is the face of the Ultra Edition [5].
According to the announcement, the game is scheduled for a full launch on Sept. 4, 2026 [1]. Players who purchase specific editions may gain early access to the title starting Aug. 28, 2026 [2].
The game will be available across several hardware platforms to maximize its reach. These include the Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation, Xbox, and Steam [4].
While some reports initially listed a single cover star, official details from NBA.com confirm the three-athlete approach [5]. The release of the trailer on July 22, 2026, marks the beginning of the primary marketing push for the title [3].
“Derrick Rose will serve as the cover athlete for the Ultra Edition of NBA 2K27”
The inclusion of Derrick Rose as a cover athlete highlights a trend of honoring veteran legacies in sports gaming, while the presence of Caitlin Clark reflects the growing commercial power of the WNBA. Launching on the Nintendo Switch 2 suggests the developer is leveraging new hardware cycles to drive sales for the 2026 season.
