Shai Gilgeous-Alexander named NBA 2K26 game cover athlete after MVP and championship season

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Named NBA 2K26 Cover Athlete

Hamilton’s very own Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been announced as the cover athlete for NBA 2K26 after an outstanding season where he was crowned MVP and led his team to a championship victory. The news was revealed by the game’s developer on Tuesday.

Gilgeous-Alexander, who was the scoring champ and finals MVP last season, will grace the standard edition of the game. The Canadian sensation put up impressive numbers, averaging 32.7 points, 6.4 assists, and five rebounds per game, propelling the Thunder to a remarkable 68-14 record.

The Thunder made history with a staggering 12.9 points per game margin over their opponents, the largest in league history. Their dominance culminated in a thrilling seven-game series victory over the Indiana Pacers to claim the NBA title. In recognition of his stellar performance, Gilgeous-Alexander signed a massive 4-year, $285 million extension last week.

While a specific release date for NBA 2K26 has not yet been announced, fans can expect the game to hit the shelves in September.

Notably, last year’s cover athlete was Jayson Tatum of the Boston Celtics, who also graced the cover following his team’s championship win.

The announcement of the cover athlete comes amidst speculation that 2K Games is looking to re-enter the college basketball gaming market. It remains to be seen whether the developer will revive its college basketball franchise or integrate college hoops into its NBA series.

2K Games stated, “2K is the undisputed home of basketball gaming. We have a strong history with college hoops and are exploring exciting new ways to bring athletes and schools to life. Class is in session.”