Whether it’s the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) negotiations, Candace Parker’s terrible podcast, or Unrivaled’s return, there has never been a better time to talk about the mistreatment of WNBA players. It’s time to stop letting blatant misogyny slide. It’s time to talk about NBA2K.
I remember it like it was yesterday: Nov. 2, 2019. Not only was this the first year WNBA teams were integrated into NBA2K, but also when Stanford Women’s Basketball played the USA National Team. I approached Nneka Ogwumike after she scored 23 points, had 12 rebounds, and led Team USA to victory, and instead of saying “good game,” I said, “I play with you on 2K.” If 11-year-old Derrick didn’t already make it clear to you, I love NBA2K. However, unlike most junior-year relationships, I know that love means keeping it real. And the truth is, NBA2K hates the WNBA.
The biggest complaint when the trailer for a new NBA2K is released is the accuracy of male players’ appearances. Frankly, I don’t care how real Anthony Edwards’ sweat droplets and viscerocranium size are when Kamilla Cardoso, JJ Quinerly, and many other WNBA players still don’t even have their own faces in the game.
“Our presence in NBA2K ensures that our league and athletes are visible,” WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert said after signing an extension with NBA2K.
However, she clearly cares as much about player representation as she does about the CBA negotiations (and that’s why the WNBA is not having a season).
“But Derrick, how does 2K hide this in their promotions for the WNBA2k?” It’s pretty easy to hide when the promotions don’t exist.
Around the time of NBA2K26’s release, there were only five WNBA-related posts on their social media accounts. Honestly, that’s generous considering the fact that you have to scroll all the way to the bottom of their website and click ten million buttons to even know that women exist in the game. And don’t even get me started on the ratings. Why is Rickea Jackson rated 79 overall? The same Rickea Jackson who was terrorizing the Seattle Storm and New York Liberty all season long? Yet Caitlin Clark, who barely played this season and shot my math grade (27%) from the three-point line, is rated 96 overall.
Speaking of three-pointers, when you play one of the three WNBA modes, MyWNBA, the three-point contest and other all-star events don’t even exist.
When I try to just play with the WNBA in NBA2K and ignore these issues, I am then subjected to color-commentary from Brian Banifatemi and Blake Suniga. These two are prime examples of NBA2K’s laziness as they are also the commentators for the high school games in the NBA’s build-your-own-player mode, MyCareer. Meanwhile, the mediocre and diluted NBA2k gets consistently updated star-studded announcements from Kevin Harlan, Doris Burke, Stan Van Gundy, and cameos from Shams Charania. Yet, the WNBA couldn’t even get their own WNBA-specific and experienced announcers? Rebecca Lobo and Ryan Ruocco are right there. This is the 6th year the WNBA has been in 2K, and it’s still being done with the attention to detail of a 6th-grade Clavicular fan.
To NBA2K, the most logical move was not to fix the WNBA side of NBA2K, but to add 40 college players to MyTeam. Each player received accurate face scans and in-game announcements specifically suited for them. So now we know, NBA2K can fix their game and respect their players, but they won’t. This is just another example of women athletes being at the bottom of a never-ending list of priorities. Do better.
