UNCASVILLE, CONNECTICUT — For A’ja Wilson, being the first-ever WNBA cover athlete for NBA2K was already a pretty big deal. But, the honor is even more special because she’s sharing it with a longtime friend: Celtics forward Jayson Tatum. The Las Vegas Aces star befriended the Boston Celtics champion at a USA Basketball camp in high school, and their friendship has continued to blossom throughout the years.
For A’ja Wilson, sharing NBA2K cover with longtime friend Jayson Tatum is extra special
The pair of basketball stars have been friends since high school — and now become the first WNBA / NBA player duo to share the cover.
Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images
Noa Dalzell is a senior writer covering the WNBA and all of women’s basketball for Breakaway, SB Nation’s women’s sports vertical, as well as the Celtics for CelticsBlog.
Now, each in their prime of their careers, they effectively get named the faces of their respective league — at least according to NBA2K. Wilson, who is the cover athlete for NBA2K 2025 WNBA Edition, is also sharing the All Star edition cover with Tatum. It’s the first time that the popular video game is putting out a dual-league cover.
It’s a full circle moment for the pair of friends.
“We were at USA camp together, and we were all just kicking it. It’s super cool, it really is,” Wilson told SB Nation. “Being on the cover alongside JT, someone that I literally grew up with, and to see our careers flourish the way that they are now — it’s something special.”
Both have achieved a tremendous amount of success since those high school days. At 28, Wilson has two MVP trophies and two WNBA championships already under her belt — and she’s well on her way to a third MVP. At 26, Tatum is fresh off his first NBA championship, and just accrued the most playoff points by any player in league history before the age 27.
“We just always kept a good bond,” Wilson said. “Love his little son, Deuce. It’s just been so cool to watch his career just blossom the way it has. JT is a good kid, he’s a good kid. Always a good friend to me.”
Wilson acknowledged she’s not much of a gamer herself, but that the opportunity to brace the cover of the popular video game has piqued her interest in playing the game, as well.
“I’m not a huge video game person, but now I think I’m probably gonna try — at least a little bit — because that’s a whole other audience to be able to be [in],” Wilson said. “It’s huge for me, and also my family.”
For both athletes, it’s an honor that will last a lifetime.
“The longevity of these moves are going to be huge,” Wilson said. “I’m so glad to watch it flourish, and to be a part of the growth.”
