Shai Gilgeous‑Alexander, star guard of the Oklahoma City Thunder, has officially been revealed as the cover athlete for the Standard Edition of NBA 2K26, capping off what many are calling the “Summer of SGA.” The announcement, made on July 8, 2025, comes on the heels of an extraordinary season for Gilgeous‑Alexander, who claimed the NBA MVP, the Finals MVP, and the league scoring title, while leading Houston to the franchise’s first championship since relocating from Seattle.

During the 2024‑25 season, Gilgeous‑Alexander averaged a career-high 32.7 points, along with 6.4 assists and 5 rebounds, guiding the Thunder to a stunning 68–14 record, the best in the league. Their average point differential of 12.9 was the most dominant in NBA history, and the team captured the NBA title in a tight seven-game Finals against the Pacers.

At just 26, SGA signed a reported four‑year, $285 million supermax contract extension, one of the richest in NBA history, in recognition of his breakout campaign. This major deal underscores his value to both OKC and the league. He’s also launched his first signature shoe line, adding another milestone to a season already packed with personal achievements.

This marks the third time a Kentucky Wildcats alum has graced the cover of NBA 2K: Gilgeous‑Alexander follows Anthony Davis (NBA 2K20) and Devin Booker (NBA 2K23) as fellow Kentucky guards featured on the game’s cover.

NBA 2K analyst and insiders welcomed Gilgeous‑Alexander’s selection as a no-brainer, especially given how rare it is in league history to earn MVP, Finals MVP, and scoring leader in one season, a feat achieved only by SGA, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Michael Jordan, and Shaquille O’Neal.

While broader edition announcements are still expected, including special WNBA or Hall of Fame versions, 2K Games confirmed pre-orders will begin July 9, with an anticipated early-September 2025 release window, aligning with the franchise’s usual launch cadence. Reports also suggest that clubs like Caitlin Clark could headline a WNBA cover edition this year.

This selection follows last year’s cover star, Jayson Tatum, who appeared on NBA 2K25 after leading the Celtics to the 2024 championship. That edition also featured A’ja Wilson for the WNBA version and Vince Carter for the Hall of Fame release.

For Gilgeous‑Alexander, this cover slot is more than just a video game marketing win; it symbolizes his ascent to elite status in the league. From a one-year stint with the Clippers after being taken 11th overall in 2018, to blossoming into an All-NBA selection and now immortalized on a marquee video game, his trajectory is defined by growth and greatness.