2K22’s first roster update will take place during the WNBA Playoffs. Here are the players who could see a ratings boost sooner rather than later.
When this year’s edition of NBA 2K was first announced, the game was to come with three covers, with two-time WNBA MVP Candace Parker landing her very own. Parker is the first WNBA player ever to grace the cover of the biggest name in basketball video games, a major step forward for the franchise and the W alike.
“The cover of NBA 2K is such a pivotal platform to inspire young ballers, and I wanted future WNBA stars to know that they can be cover athletes too,” Parker said in a statement. “Representation matters, so this is a special moment of progress for the sport and the series. To be part of this historic cover is a testament to the growth and rising popularity of the women’s game, and I’m proud to be the first female cover athlete to be the face of NBA 2K.”
And after dropping NBA 2K22 on Sept. 10, it’s only a matter of time before the 2K team drops its first player ratings update. But the big changes won’t come on the NBA side — rather, we’re fully focused on the WNBA as the league kicks off its postseason on Thursday.
It turns out that the game rates CP3 at a 93, good for No. 4 on the league’s overall list. That got us thinking — when the game’s imminent update drops, who are the WBA players with the best chance to get a ratings boost? Let’s name four stars with a legit shot.
Courtney Vandersloot (88)
PG, Chicago Sky
One of Parker’s Chicago teammates is in prime position to rise.
Courtney Vandersloot and the Sky will face the Dallas Wings on Thursday to start the WNBA Playoffs — she notched double-doubles in two of the teams’ three meetings this season. If she is able to achieve the feat again and earn a victory, the all-around point guard has a fine case to become the 11th player rated 90 or higher.
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Arike Ogunbowale (86)
PG/SG, Dallas Wings
On the opposing side, Vandersloot will face the league’s No. 5 scorer, Arike Ogunbowale. The former NCAA national champion at Notre Dame actually saw a slight decrease in scoring output this season, but made her name hitting clutch shots in big games.
With her Wings playing in a win-or-go-home game on Thursday, the 2021 All-Star’s 86 overall rating could take a step up with another highlight performance.
Jonquel Jones (94)
PF/C, Connecticut Sun
Jonquel Jones and the Sun are scorching hot. The team finished with the league’s best record at 26-6 and notched the longest winning streak to end a regular season in WNBA history at 14 games.
Jones has had a stellar season that has put her in contention for league MVP. Tied for the second-highest-rated player in the game with reigning MVP A’ja Wilson at 94, Jones actually won’t touch a court again until the semifinal round of the playoffs. But when she does, she might just be No. 1.
Brittney Griner (92)
C, Phoenix Mercury
Brittney Griner played in all but two games this year, averaging 20 points per contest. She finished second in scoring and sixth in rebounding, maintaining her reputation as one of the most dominant players in the WNBA.
(For good measure, she’s responsible for each of the last 19 dunks to take place in regular season games.)
Griner will lead the Phoenix Mercury against the New York Liberty on Thursday night.
