Shai Gilgeous-Alexander named NBA 2K26 cover athlete

A trophy case stuffed with awards, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander might need to create a little more space. He was officially announced as the NBA 2K26 cover athlete. Poetically enough, the announcement dropped on Tuesday at 2:22 p.m. CT.

It's been quite the year for Gilgeous-Alexander. He's won MVP, Western Conference Finals MVP and NBA Finals MVP. He captured a championship and scoring title. Leading the Oklahoma City Thunder, he had one of the greatest individual seasons ever.

Eligible for a supermax extension, Gilgeous-Alexander signed a four-year, $285 million deal this offseason with the Thunder that'll keep him in OKC through the 2030-31 season. It's the richest deal in NBA history.

Now, Gilgeous-Alexander gets to add being an NBA 2K cover athlete to his resume. Only the league's best players are donned with that honor. It shouldn't be a shocker to see him get it after the historic year he just had.

Gilgeous-Alexander averaged 32.7 points on 51.9% shooting, 6.4 assists and five rebounds in 76 games this past season. He shot 37.5% from 3 on 5.7 attempts. He also averaged 1.7 steals and one block.

NBA 2K26 will release in September 2025.

This article originally appeared on OKC Thunder Wire: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander named NBA 2K26 cover athlete