Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is your NBA 2K26 Cover Athlete! It was announced today by NBA 2K that the 2025 NBA Champion from the Oklahoma City Thunder will grace the cover of the NBA 2K26 Standard Edition.
2025 has been an amazing year for SGA so far. He won the NBA MVP award, league scoring title, an NBA championship, Finals MVP, signed a $285 million super max extension with the Thunder, released his first signature shoe, and now – the cover athlete of NBA 2K26.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, a.k.a. “SGA,” was born in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, and played college basketball at the University of Kentucky before being selected 11th overall in the 2018 NBA Draft by the Charlotte Hornets, then quickly traded to the Los Angeles Clippers. After a promising rookie season, he was traded to the Thunder as part of the blockbuster deal for Paul George. Since arriving in Oklahoma City, Gilgeous-Alexander has steadily become one of the best players in the league.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s Basketball Accomplishments:
- NBA Champion (2025): Led the Oklahoma City Thunder to their first championship since relocating to Oklahoma City.
- NBA Finals MVP (2025): Recognized as the most valuable player in the Finals series.
- NBA Most Valuable Player (2025): Won the league MVP award for the 2024–25 season.
- Scoring Leader (2024–25): Led the league in scoring with 32.7 points per game.
- Three-time NBA All-Star (2023–2025) and Three-time All-NBA First Team (2023–2025).
- Historic Season: Became only the fourth player in NBA history to win MVP, Finals MVP, and a scoring title in the same season.
- Won bronze with Team Canada at the 2023 FIBA World Cup and was named to the All-Tournament Team
Additionally, 2K announced that NBA 2K26 Pre-Orders will begin tomorrow, July 9, 2025.
