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

The Associated Press

· Posted: Jul 09, 2025 9:07 AM EDT | Last Updated: 3 hours ago

Hamilton's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the screen jock of NBA 2K26 pursuing his MVP and title-winning season, the video game's developer announced Tuesday.

Last season's scoring champ and finals MVP volition beryllium featured connected the game's modular edition. The Canadian averaged 32.7 points, 6.4 assists and 5 rebounds per game, starring the Thunder to a 68-14 record.

The Thunder outscored teams by 12.9 points per game, the biggest borderline successful league history. They bushed the Indiana Pacers successful 7 games to triumph the NBA title. Gilgeous-Alexander was awarded past week for his stellar play with a record-setting 4-year, $285 cardinal extension.

A merchandise day for NBA 2K26 has yet to beryllium announced. The crippled is expected to motorboat successful September.

The NBA 2K screen jock past twelvemonth was Boston Celtics guardant Jayson Tatum, who besides was featured aft his squad won the championship.

The screen jock announcement comes aft 2K Games teased its plans to get backmost into the assemblage hoops gaming market. It wasn't wide whether the developer wants to revive its long-dormant assemblage hoops franchise oregon incorporated assemblage hoops into its NBA franchise.

"2K is the undisputed location of hoops gaming," 2K Games said successful a connection to The Associated Press past week. "We person a beardown past with assemblage hoops and are exploring breathtaking caller ways to bring athletes and schools to life. Class is successful session."