NBA 2K26: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander reportedly named cover star after historic MVP season
The wait is over for
NBA
fans and gamers. On July 8, the 2K NBA officially revealed the cover athlete for its next video game, NBA 2K26. The news was shared first by Shams Charania of ESPN through a post on X just before midnight.
This year's cover choice follows a historic NBA season and celebrates one of the league's most talked-about stars - Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Why Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was picked and how 2025 changed his career forever
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, often called "SGA" by fans, had an unforgettable 2024-2025 season. In June 2025, he led the Oklahoma City Thunder to their first NBA championship in over a decade. Just weeks later, he was named NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) for the very first time.
The 26-year-old guard averaged 32.7 points, 6.4 assists, and 5.0 rebounds per game throughout the season. He shot 51.9% from the field and 37.5% from three-point range. His performance helped the Thunder dominate both the regular season and playoffs.
On top of the MVP honor, Shai was named to the All-NBA First Team for the third year in a row. Right after his championship and MVP win, Shai signed a four-year, $285 million supermax extension, which now holds the record for the highest annual salary in NBA history.
This moment, both on and off the court, has made him one of the league's most respected young stars.
NBA 2K26: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander reportedly named cover star after historic MVP season (Image Source: X)
With all these achievements, it was no surprise that 2K Sports and the team behind NBA 2K26 picked him as the new face of the franchise. The news has excited both gamers and basketball fans who have watched Shai's steady rise to stardom over the last few years.
NBA insider Shams Charania tweeted the reveal at 11:35 PM CEST on July 8. You can view his official post here:
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is now on a list of NBA size that has appeared on the front of the video game, such as Kobe Bryant, Lebron James and Stephen Curry.
Also Read:
NBA Trade Rumors: Cleveland Cavaliers might re-sign Kevin Love as LeBron James rumors
More updates on the game, including features and release dates, are expected from 2K Sports later this month. Currently, the fans are already celebrating Shai's moments in the spotlight- both in real life and on the front.
Game On Season 1 continues with Mirabai Chanu's inspiring story. Watch Episode 2 here.
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