Yesterday 2K Sports announced that Kobe Bryant would feature as the final cover athlete for NBA 2K21. He will be on the “Mamba Forever Edition”. This is the third time Bryant has been on a 2K cover, the first being back in 2009. Kobe had come off a title-winning season, after being the Boston Celtics in the 2009 NBA Finals. And just months later he was on the cover for the upcoming NBA 2K10.

He shot a commercial with then Rookie of the Year, Derrick Rose, which was called Mamba vs Pooh. In the commercial, Mamba (Bryant) and Pooh (Rose) are shown to be playfully squabbling over who has the better player. After countering each other’s statements, Bryant leaves Rose speechless after saying, “My guy is awesome because he has four rings.”

Kobe Bryant honored by 2K Sports

During the launch back in 2009, Kobe said, “I take great pride in aligning myself with NBA 2K10 as it is simply the most authentic basketball game out there, bar none. I was fortunate enough to win a world championship when I was announced to be on the cover. I have learned, in my time working with the 2K Sports team that they, too, strive to be the absolute best.”

The Los Angeles Lakers legend was also on the cover of the NBA 2K17, which launched after he retired. So to pay tribute to him and his achievements, he was featured on the “Legend Edition” of the game.

Now with the upcoming game, 2K Sports have honored Kobe by changing the name of his edition. Previously called “Legend Edition,” it will now be divided into two sections according to console; Next-Gen Mamba Forever Edition” for PS5 and the upcoming Xbox and “Current Gen Mamba Forever Edition” for PS4, Xbox One, PC, and Switch.

Fans will have to wait till at least the 4th of September to get hold of the Mamba Forever edition (Current-Gen) of NBA 2K21, but pre-orders have already started from July 2nd.