Introducing the Faces of NBA 2K26

The annual basketball gaming extravaganza, NBA 2K, has pulled out all the stops for its latest iteration, NBA 2K26. Today, they unveiled their cover athletes, and it’s a lineup that could leave no doubt about their dominance on the hardwood and the virtual court.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Gracing Standard Edition Cover

Oklahoma City Thunder’s playmaker and three-time All-Star,{‘ ‘}
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, {‘ ‘}
will be the face of the NBA 2K26 Standard Edition. The young superstar also earned the coveted MVP Kia award of the 2024-25 season and led his team to the NBA Finals victory, claiming the NBA Finals MVP title.

Angel Reese on NBA 2K26 WNBA Edition Cover

The women’s game takes center stage as{‘ ‘}
Angel Reese, All-Star WNBA player for the Chicago Sky, graces the cover of the NBA 2K26 WNBA Edition. A member of the 2024 All-Rookie Team, Reese also led her college team to a NCAA championship.

Carmelo Anthony on Superstar Edition Cover

Hall of Famer{‘ ‘}
Carmelo Anthony, a 10-time NBA All-Star and three-time Olympic gold medalist, takes the spotlight on the NBA 2K26 Superstar Edition. The legendary scorer was also recently named among the NBA’s 75th anniversary team.

For a limited time, all three stars will share the cover of the NBA 2K26 Leave No Doubt Edition.

NBA 2K26 Release Details and Early Access

• Release date: September 5, 2025
• Platforms: PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X | S, Xbox One, PC via Steam, Nintendo Switch, and Nintendo Switch 2.

Early access begins August 29, 2025 at 6 PM for players on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X | S, and PC who pre-order the Superstar Edition or the Limited Leave No Doubt Edition.

Did you know?

Angel Reese is not the first WNBA player to appear on an NBA 2K cover. Breanna Stewart was featured on the NBA 2K20 WNBA Edition cover.

Carmelo Anthony is the first player to be inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame while still actively playing in the NBA.

Pro Tips for Gamers

brushing up on your skills with previous NBA 2K games to get a head start when NBA 2K26 launches.

Pre-order the Superstar Edition to get early access and exclusive in-game items.

What’s Next?

Stay tuned for more updates on NBA 2K26, including game modes, features, and potential leaks.

Call to Action

Which NBA 2K26 cover struck a chord with you? Let us know who you’re excited to play as in the comments below!