2K Games have revealed the three cover athletes for NBA 2K26 and they are bringing another All-Star lineup to the franchise, this year.
Last night, it was revealed that 2024-25 KIA Most Valuable Player, 2024-25 NBA Scoring Champ, and Finals MVP, Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will grace the NBA 2K26 Standard Edition. It’s the cherry on the icing on the cake for a player coming off the back of a historic season with OKC, who saw off the Indiana Pacers in seven to become NBA Champions for the first time since the franchise was moved from Seattle, in 2008.
Angel Reese and Carmelo Anthony to Grace NBA2K26 WNBA and Superstar Editions
In addition to Gilgeous-Alexander’s cover star debut, NBA 2K26 will see Chicago Sky forward and two-time All-Star Angel Reese adorn the cover of the WNBA edition of the game, while 2025 Naismith Hall of Fame inductee Carmelo Anthony will be front and centre of this year’s Superstar edition.
For a limited time, Gilgeous-Alexander, Reese and Anthony will also share the cover of the NBA 2K26 Leave No Doubt edition. Reese, a member of the 2024 WNBA All-Rookie team and a 2023 NCAA Champion, will see her cover sold as a Gamestop exclusive physical edition in the United States.
“Superstars on the court and in any room they walk into”
Speaking about the selections of this year’s trio of cover stars, NBA 2K GM and SVP Zak Armitage said, “SGA’s elite IQ and ice-cold composure mixed with his effortless street style, Angel’s on-court bravado and ability to own the moment, and Carmelo’s reputation as one of the most iconic trendsetters and prolific scorers in NBA history leave no doubt they’re superstars on the court and in any room they walk into.
“NBA 2K26 is all about proving yourself on the court, and immortalizing greatness. These three are among the boldest, most confident, and stylish personalities in the NBA and WNBA.”
Three Covers, Three Icons
The cover stars themselves also discussed the importance to them of being honored with their own covers, with SGA saying, “Every kid who grows up playing basketball pictures themselves on the cover of NBA 2K – it’s a dream come true moment, especially following an NBA Championship. Being on the cover is iconic but working with 2K and Visual Concepts to set the tone in-game from curating the tunnel fits to the playlist that players will ball to is what makes this truly special.”
Reese, meanwhile, spoke of her moment being a statement in an already mightily impressive career, “Being on the cover of NBA 2K26 and debuting my first-ever signature shoe with Reebok on that cover, the Angel Reese 1, is more than a milestone—it’s a statement. It’s about representation and showing young girls they can be confident, bold, and take up space unapologetically.
“To be cemented in NBA 2K history is a special honor that reflects not only my journey, but also all the veteran WNBA players who have paved the way before me and the growing impact of the league as a whole. I’m proud to be part of a game that continues to elevate women’s basketball and can’t wait for fans to see how NBA 2K26 brings our game to life like never before.”
Three-time Olympic Champion and 10-time All-Star Anthony, meanwhile, spoke of how surreal his 2025 had been, with his 2K26 cover coming shortly after he was inducted into the Naismith Hall of Fame, ““For more than 20 years, 2K fans have been a part of my journey. Being honored on the cover of NBA 2K26 and inducted into the Hall of Fame in the same year is surreal. It’s a
celebration of every chapter, every city that embraced me, every team that believed in me, and every person who’s been part of this ride with me.”
NBA 2K26 is now available for pre-order on PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2, and PC. With all-new ProPLAY features, players on Gen 9 will experience revamped size-ups, and experience fast-paced dynamic movement. Fans can also strive to reach the pinnacle of NBA stardom in a reimagined MyCAREER journey and team up with friends to battle rival squads in a fresh and more optimized City. MyTEAM in NBA 2K26 will put past and present legends to the test in new single-player and multiplayer modes while players can lead a franchise as a General Manager in MyNBA, with 30 unique storylines to win a championship.
Early Access to NBA 2K26 Begins August 29 – One Week Ahead of Global Launch on September 5, 2025.
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