2K has officially revealed that the face of NBA 2K26 will be none other than Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, star of the Oklahoma City Thunder. Gilgeous-Alexander played a pivotal role in leading the Thunder to their long-awaited championship last season, earning acclaim for his outstanding contributions alongside his teammates.

Many fans anticipated this announcement, given Shai’s significant impact on his team’s recent success.

Last year’s NBA 2K cover starred Jayson Tatum, A’ja Wilson, and Vince Carter on various editions, while NBA 2K24 honored the late Kobe Bryant. With NBA 2K26, the focus shifts to one of the NBA’s promising talents.

Shai, also known as SGA, is the first Canadian to grace the cover of an NBA 2K game, capturing the attention of fans and basketball enthusiasts alike. Speculations about him being the cover athlete began making rounds back in June when Ronnie Singh, known for his playful teasing on social media, was spotted with Shai, fueling rumors.

Many had hoped for other superstars like Nikola Jokic or Luka Doncic to be featured, particularly following Luka’s departure from the Dallas Mavericks, which some viewed as a marketing opportunity for 2K Sports. However, the selection ultimately prioritized overall performance, placing SGA at the forefront of the game.

For those curious, Shai had an average of 32.7 points per game last season and was named NBA MVP for the 2024-2025 season, solidifying his status as one of the league’s elite players.