**breaking controversy** surrounding Angel Reese’s selection as the **cover athlete of NBA 2K26 WNBA Edition**, and why fans are reacting so strongly—with major outrage from Caitlin Clark’s supporters.

 

## 🎮 What Happened: Angel Reese Named NBA 2K26 WNBA Edition Cover Star

 

* On **July 9, 2025**, 2K Games officially unveiled its cover lineup for NBA 2K26. Oklahoma City Thunder star **Shai Gilgeous-Alexander** headlines the standard edition, while **Carmelo Anthony** appears on the Superstar Edition.

* **Angel Reese**, the Chicago Sky forward and two-time WNBA All-Star, was selected as the cover athlete for the **WNBA Edition**, debuting her first-ever signature shoe (the **Angel Reese 1** by Reebok) on the game’s box art

 

Many fans firmly believe that **Caitlin Clark**, the Indiana Fever guard and league sensation, deserved the cover spot instead. As one fan wrote simply, “Should have been Caitlin Clark”

Another user emphasized: “Reese over Clark is just another example of how 2K has fallen.”

 

### 2. **Marketing Misstep Perception**

 

Clark’s supporters argue that featuring her would have driven more game sales. As one comment put it: “2K would’ve sold way more copies putting Caitlin Clark on the cover

 

### 3. **Statistical & Style Critique**

 

Users criticized Reese’s game and her shooting, questioning whether she deserved parity with Clark. One fan sarcastically commented: “You forgot to add ‘Bricks Edition’ to the bottom of the cover”

 

### 4. **Historical Rivalry Context**

 

The resentment is partly fueled by their well-known college rivalry. Reese’s gesture during the 2023 NCAA championship game—where LSU beat Clark’s Iowa—still lingers in fans’ memorie

 

### 5. **Online Toxicity from Tribalist Fan Behavior**

 

Broader conflicts in WNBA fandomity—in particular, racialized and tribal online behavior—have intensified polarizing debates surrounding the cover athlete debate

## 🌟 Angel Reese’s Perspective & Achievements

 

### ✅ A Stellar Performance Week

 

In late June and early July, Reese posted a WNBA record **six consecutive games with 15+ rebounds**, averaging **17.8 points, 17.0 rebounds, and 4.8 assists** across that span—even while Chicago struggled to wins

 

### ✅ Signature Sneaker Launch

 

Reese debuted her **“Angel Reese 1”**, a signature shoe with Reebok, making her the second WNBA player ever to achieve this partnership with the brand since Rebecca Lobo in 1997

 

### ✅ Empowerment & Representation Messaging

 

On social media, Reese celebrated the cover by emphasizing:

 

> “Of course we do everything BIG. Why not debut my signature shoe on the cover of NBA2K?!?! … It’s about representation and showing young girls they can be confident, bold, and take up space unapologetically.”

 

### ✅ Endorsement & Cultural Rising Star

 

Reese’s presence in **Vogue** earlier in 2025 and the launch of her signature sneaker have bolstered her cultural influence and marketability

## 🗣️ Social Media Backlash & Support

 

### 💬 Negative Fan Reactions

 

Reddit and X users were vocal. Some criticisms included:

 

* “She just robbed Caitlin Clark”

* “CC not even on the cover? That’s crazy!”

* “Not CC or A’ja?”

* “Over Clark? Something smells fishy.”

* “Reese over Clark is just another example of how 2K has fallen.”

 

Many fans came to Reese’s defense, praising her work ethic, rebounding dominance, and deserved recognition. Comments included:

 

* “Well deserved. Most elite motor in the game of basketball.”

* “This is a great cover. Reese finally getting the respect she deserves as a top 10 player.”

 

From Caitlin Clark’s own teammates, **Sydney Colson** tweeted approvingly, “that girl!” after seeing Reese wear her signature shoe on the game cover

 

### Caitlin Clark: The Face of the WNBA?

 

Clark has surged into superstardom with historic rookie stats—**19.2 PPG, 8.4 APG, 5.7 RPG**—and record-breaking popularity. Yet she missed several games due to injury, including a stretch in late June 2025, possibly affecting marketing decisions .

 

Her Nike contract includes plans for a signature shoe, but fans are frustrated at the delay in release—especially when compared to Reese’s earlier Reebok launch

 

### Reese’s Rising Reputation

 

Despite being less universally loved by some commentators, Reese’s numbers and cultural impact—particularly her frontcourt dominance—have cemented her status as a rising star and influencer in women’s basketball .

 

### Toxicity & Racism in the Fandom

 

A feature from *The Washington Post* notes that WNBA fandom is increasingly tribal, with harassment particularly targeting players like Reese—rooted in racial and misogynistic bias

Angel Reese’s selection as the cover athlete for **NBA 2K26 WNBA Edition** is a watershed moment in her young career—not just as a highlight, but a symbol of **representation**, **performance**, and **brand elevation**. It also underscores how fan expectations, player rivalries, and cultural narratives intersect in modern sports marketing.

 

Yet the reaction—especially from those who feel **Caitlin Clark** was unfairly passed over—speaks volumes about how fandoms perceive legacy, popularity, and “deservedness.” This controversy isn’t just about video game covers—it’s about **whose stories get told**, **who gets elevated**, and how merit is measured in the public eye.

 

We may be at the beginning: Caitlin Clark remains enormously popular, and fans expect her to be featured in future NBA 2K editions. Meanwhile, Reese’s cover includes launching her signature sneaker on game art—a powerful symbol of personal and professional momentum.

 

For better or worse, this feud—framed here by the 2K cover decision—reflects bigger questions about **identity, visibility, and power dynamics in women’s Sport’s