LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Former Kentucky Wildcat Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the cover athlete of NBA 2K26 following his MVP and title-winning season, the video game’s developer.
What You Need To Know
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander makes the cover of NBA 2K26
He helped lead the Oklahoma City Thunder to an NBA championship
The honor comes after he signed a new mega-contract extention with the Thunder
He played at UK for the 2017-2018 season
Last season’s scoring champ and finals MVP will be featured on the game’s standard edition. He averaged 32.7 points, 6.4 assists and five rebounds per game, leading the Thunder to a 68-14 record.
The Thunder outscored teams by 12.9 points per game, the biggest margin in league history. They beat the Indiana Pacers in seven games to win the NBA title. Gilgeous-Alexander was awarded last week for his stellar season with a record-setting 4-year, $285 million extension.
A release date for NBA 2K26 has yet to be announced. The game is expected to launch in September.
The NBA 2K cover athlete last year was Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum, who also was featured after his team won the championship.
The cover athlete announcement follows 2K Games teased its plans to get back into the college basketball gaming market. It wasn’t clear whether the developer wants to revive its long-dormant college basketball franchise or incorporate college hoops into its NBA franchise.
“2K is the undisputed home of basketball gaming,” 2K Games said in a statement to The Associated Press last week. “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.”
Gilgeous-Alexander played for UK in the 2017-2018 season. He was the 11th overall pick by the Charlotte Hornets in the 2018 NBA Draft.