On July 9, the popular basketball video game NBA 2K revealed that Angel Reese of the Chicago Sky will feature as the cover star for the WNBA edition of NBA 2K26. This choice sparked a vibrant discussion among fans, especially concerning the ratings assigned to both Reese and Indiana Fever’s Caitlin Clark ahead of the game’s September 5 worldwide release.
Overview of NBA 2K26 WNBA Player Ratings
Napheesa Collier earned the highest rating in NBA 2K26’s WNBA lineup with an overall score of 98. A’ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart followed closely behind at 97 each, while Caitlin Clark received a rating of 96. Alyssa Thomas secured a 95 overall ranking, and the New York Liberty’s Sabrina Ionescu was rated 93. A group of three players—Seattle Storm’s Nneka Ogwumike, Phoenix Mercury’s Satou Sabally, and Liberty center Jonquel Jones—each earned a 92. Angel Reese was given a 90 overall rating, rounding out the top 10 WNBA players featured in the game.
Fan Reactions to Clark and Reese’s NBA 2K Ratings
The release of these player ratings ignited significant debate across social media platforms, chiefly focused on whether Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese were rated fairly. Some fans questioned Clark’s 96 rating, especially given her injury-plagued 2025 season. One user wrote,
“96 overall with 13 games played and 8 of them were dog****,”
referencing Clark’s limited impact due to injuries. Another fan questioned the closeness of Clark’s rating to Stewart and Wilson, commenting,
“Y’all got Clark just one point behind Stewie and A’ja. What are we doing here.”
Others felt Clark was undervalued, with opinions like,
“Clark a 96? She should be a 98,”
and
“Caitlin Clark should be number one.”
Some supporters of Angel Reese argued she deserved a higher rating, with one fan stating,
“Angel better than like 3 ppl on this list rn but ight.”
Meanwhile, some expressed confusion over Reese’s 90 rating, noting,
“A 90 Overall used to mean something…”
The Broader Significance of the Ratings Debate
Ratings for player abilities in video games such as NBA 2K often generate differing opinions because they incorporate subjective evaluations of performance, potential, and impact. The discussions surrounding Angel Reese’s role as the cover star and the assigned WNBA player ratings reflect the passionate fan interest in women’s basketball and the increasing visibility of WNBA stars in mainstream media.
This debate also underscores the challenge game developers face in balancing statistical data, subjective judgment, and fan expectations when compiling ratings. With the WNBA’s popularity growing, the NBA 2K26 WNBA edition serves as a key platform to highlight the talents of players like Reese, Clark, and others who continue to shape the future of the league.