Candace Parker was chosen to take on 2K22 MT the role of NBA2K22. This marks the first time a female basketball player has received this honor. The Los Angeles Sparks mentor Lisa Leslie was responsible for opening the doors for women play basketball in video games. Prior to PlayStation 5, 4 and 3, around the time when NBA2K2 was released, Leslie appeared in Humungous Entertainment's Backyard Basketball (2001).

While it was Kevin Garnett, the Minnesota Timberwolves basketball player who graced the cover of Backyard Basketball's first edition, Leslie was also included and you can even play as Garnett as well as her.

Sheryl Swoopes and Cynthia Cooper, Houston Comets' stars, were both absent during the 2001 WNBA season. Cooper is a two-time MVP and four-time champion, retired after the season of 2000. Cooper came back in 2003. Swoopes, who was also participant in the four championships and the league's MVP of the year, did not play in 2001 due to Buy NBA 2K22 MT a tear in her ACL. After helping the Sparks get their first title in September of 2001, Leslie won not only the 2001 MVP award but she also was named the Finals MVP. Within a month, Backyard Basketball was released with her chosen as the only female player in real life (Garnett was the only male player) instead of Cooper and Swoopes.