Following months of heated speculation, 2K Sports, the developer of the NBA 2K series has announced the cover athletes of the upcoming NBA 2K24. It was also revealed that 2K24 would have two special editions, both of which feature on their covers one of basketball's all-time greatest players - Kobe Bryant.

Since the release of the Michael Jordan Special Edition, 2K Sports has released a base version of the game and a special edition version since 2016, with the special edition version featuring cover athletes as a tribute to their legacy, impact on the sport, or to celebrate an achievement or anniversary. It has been revealed that the late Los Angeles Lakers legend, 18-time NBA All-Star, and Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame inductee, Kobe Bryant, will be the cover athlete of both of the upcoming game's two special edition versions - the Kobe Bryant Edition and the Black Mamba Edition.

Kobe Bryant & Black Mamba Editions On The Way For NBA 2K24

Coinciding with his most associated jersey number, 24, the NBA 2K24 Kobe Bryant Edition and Black Mamba Edition will pay respect to the late Los Angeles Laker legend, Kober Bryant. Kobe, who passed away unexpectedly in early 2020, is widely regarded as one of the NBA's all-time greatest players and has appeared on the cover of an NBA 2K game on three occasions, NBA 2K10, NBA 2K17, and most recently on the cover of the special edition version of NBA 2K21 the Mamba Forever Edition.

The announcement that the 18-time All-Star, five-time NBA World Champion, two-time Finals MVP, two-time Olympic Gold Medalist, and Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame inductee, Kobe Bryant, is set to be the special edition cover athlete for NBA 2K24 follows months of speculation regarding who would be featured. For now, it is unclear what the difference will be between the NBA 2K24 Kobe Bryant Edition and Black Mamba Edition. Nevertheless, his prominence in the latest installment in the 2K series is a fitting tribute to one of the sport's all-time great players.

The Black Mamba, Kobe Bryant is a basketball icon, whose celebrity has only risen in the years since his tragic death. Although speculation has risen that a number of other players could be the face of NBA 2K24 including Nikola Jokic, Steph Curry, and even the recently drafted Victor Wembanyama, the choice to make Kobe Bryant the cover athlete of NBA 2K24 is one that is sure to be well received.