NBA 2K26 Unveils Cover Athletes, Release Date
Basketball fans, get ready! NBA 2K26 is coming in September 2025, revealing its cover stars: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Angel Reese, and Carmelo Anthony represent the future, present, and legacy of basketball.
Cover Stars Announced
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder will grace the cover of the standard edition. Rising WNBA star Angel Reese and NBA legend Carmelo Anthony will feature on the WNBA and Superstar Editions, respectively. All three appear together on the Leave No Doubt Edition.
Release Details and Editions
2K Games will release NBA 2K26 on September 5, 2025. The Standard Edition will be available on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and Nintendo Switch 2. The Superstar and Leave No Doubt Editions, exclusive to PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S, offer early access starting August 29.
WNBA Edition Spotlight
The WNBA Edition, a GameStop exclusive in the U.S., features Angel Reese. She follows two-time WNBA MVP A’ja Wilson, adding to her impressive rookie season accolades. During her first season, Reese made the All-Rookie and All-Star teams while leading the league in rebounding, despite an injury.
After securing a spot on the coveted WNBA 2K cover, Reese stated, “it’s about representation and showing young girls they can be confident, bold, and take up space unapologetically. To be cemented in NBA 2K history is a special honor that reflects not only my journey, but also all the veteran WNBA players who have paved the way before me and the growing impact of the league as a whole.”
Carmelo Anthony’s Legacy
Carmelo Anthony, a 10-time All-Star and six-time All-NBA Team member, was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2025. His contributions include his role on the 2008 U.S. Olympic team. Anthony won three gold medals and one bronze medal across four Olympic appearances.
Gilgeous-Alexander’s Excitement
Calling the cover appearance “iconic”
, Gilgeous-Alexander expressed enthusiasm for collaborating with Visual Concepts and 2K to influence in-game elements, ranging “from curating the tunnel fits to the playlist that players will ball to.”
Gameplay Enhancements
NBA 2K26 will include improvements to ProPLAY features on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S, along with an overhauled MyCAREER mode. MyPLAYER, MyTEAM, and The City will return, as well as the MyNBA franchise mode. As the game evolves, the popularity of e-sports is projected to reach 3.7 billion by 2025 (Statista).
