Devin Booker’s rise from budding talent to blazing sharpshooter over the last few seasons has established him as one of the brightest stars in the league, and more importantly lifted his team into the postseason for back-to-back years. A three-point champion, gold medalist, and three time all-star, Booker is poised to take over as a face of the league. The NBA has only witnessed six players score 70 points or more in a game, and Booker is one of them, joining Bryant, Wilt Chamberlain, Elgin Baylor, David Thompson, and David Robinson.
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After being in the NBA for seven years, Book has made an impact not only on but off the court as well. In addition to averaging 23.5 points per game, 3.9 rebounds per game, and 4.7 assists per game during his career, he is paving the way for the next generation of players by building courts around the country. In 2021, Booker partnered with 2K Foundations to build and renovate basketball courts in Moss Point, Miss., where he honed his skills playing high school basketball. Booker is inspiring people with his silky smooth jumper on the court and with his philanthropic efforts in the community, which is why he’s the perfect choice to be the NBA 2K23 cover athlete.
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DOB: January 28, 1985
Experience: Six Consecutive #1 Multi-Platinum Albums, Professional Basketball Player
Genre: Hip-Hop, Rap
Height: 6’3"
J. Cole, aka Jermaine, ascended to fame in the late 2000s with a string of highly celebrated and beloved mixtapes. From his debut studio album Cole World: The Sideline Story, to the classic 2014 Forest Hills Drive, and his most recent project, The Off-Season, J. Cole has gone on to release six consecutive No. 1 and multi-platinum studio albums, produce 10 top-10 songs on the Billboard Hot 100, become one of the highest ticket selling touring artists, and earn 16 nominations recognizing his outstanding achievements in music. Now he can add another achievement to the list as the cover athlete for the NBA 2K23 DREAMER Edition.
While most people know J. Cole for his performances in the recording booth and on international stages, he’s a well-documented hooper as well. He starred in NBA All-Star Game events, ran drills with renowned trainer Chris Brickley, and even pursued a career in professional basketball in recent years. He's also dropped his own signature basketball sneaker worn by professional basketball players and started his own sports & lifestyle, apparel, and creative agency, DREAMER, to bring his ethos to life. J.Cole’s passion for the game and his involvement in its many facets is apparent, and the NBA 2K23 DREAMER Edition honors that devotion.
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DOB: February 17, 1963
College: North Carolina
Height: 6’6”
Experience: 15 Seasons
Draft: 1984, Round 1, No. 3 Overall
Before he became Air Jordan, Michael Jordan spent three years at the University of North Carolina, where he made a name for himself after hitting a game-winning shot in the 1982 NCAA Championship his freshman year—the first of many iconic buzzer-beaters. \\r
MJ entered the league in 1984 as a lanky teen with clear potential, raw athleticism, and a hunger to become one of the greatest players and athletes the world has ever seen. In his first season in the NBA, he was selected for the All-Star team, earned Rookie of the Year, and averaged an absurd 28.2 points, unheard of for a first-year player. Jordan possesses rare skills that made it easy for him to transition from college to the pros, a transition many players struggle with across all sports.
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It didn’t take long for Jordan's greatness to captivate Chicago, the United States, and the globe. In 1987 he defied the laws of gravity and took flight from the free-throw line in the Slam Dunk Contest, taking home the hardware as Slam Dunk champion. The ‘80s were filled with some of his most magical highlights, but what he’d go on to achieve in the ‘90s was a spectacle to behold.\\r
By 1991, Jordan and the Bulls had emerged as a powerhouse team in the Eastern Conference, taking down Patrick Ewing’s New York Knicks and Charles Barkley’s Philadelphia 76ers in the NBA Playoffs. Next up: a 4-1 series win over the Magic Johnson-led Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA Finals, earning him his first of six championship titles. Jordan was truly a one-of-a-kind talent on the court, receiving five Most Valuable Player awards, 14 All-Star selections, a Defensive Player of the Year in 1988, and a trophy case full of other accolades. NBA 2K23 wouldn’t feel complete without one of the greatest to ever wear No. 23.
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DOB: October 16, 1980
College: Connecticut
Height: 5’9”
Experience: 18 Seasons
Draft: 2002, Round 1, No. 1 Overall
The WNBA’s all-time leader in assists and career starts ticks all the boxes as a future first-ballot Hall of Famer. Sue Bird has built a legacy over her 20 years in the league by leading the Seattle Storm to four WNBA titles and breaking a long list of records along the way. You name it, she’s done it. From becoming the only player to appear in 500 games to starting every game she’s ever played, Bird is as reliable and durable as they come. Even at 41 years old, the former UConn Huskie is still going strong, continuing to add to her all-time assists total and chasing another championship ring. Bird will go down as one of the best to ever lace up a pair of basketball shoes, so it’s only natural to have her grace the cover of NBA 2K23* for her final WNBA season.
Hometown: Chino, California
DOB: June 11, 1982
College: Connecticut
Height: 6’
Experience: 17 Seasons
Draft: 2004, Round 1, No. 1 Overall
Voted in 2021 as the WNBA’s GOAT, Taurasi has been dominating the league for almost two decades. As the leader of the Phoenix Mercury, she has hoisted the championship trophy three times. Her individual accomplishments consist of 10 All-Star selections, WNBA MVP, two-time WNBA Finals MVP, and 10 All-WNBA First Team selections. While Taurasi’s WNBA resume is robust, one of her most notable achievements is on the international stage. The California native is a five-time Olympic gold medalist—one of only two athletes to reach this significant milestone, the other being Sue Bird. Wherever she’s gone, Taurasi has led her teams to success. Her imprint isn’t just on the WNBA, but basketball as a whole, making her a clear choice for the NBA 2K23 cover*.
*The WNBA edition is available only in the US (physical only)
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