The year of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander continues

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, a former Kentucky player, has been announced as the primary cover athlete for the NBA 2K26 Standard Edition, following his exceptional year in the NBA. This decision highlights the prominence of Kentucky alumni, as 14 former Wildcats are participating in the NBA Summer League.

Gilgeous-Alexander's achievements include winning the season scoring title, MVP award, NBA Championship, and Finals MVP, along with signing a record-breaking $285 million contract extension and debuting his first signature shoe. These accomplishments solidify his status as a top NBA superstar in 2025, making him a fitting choice for the game's cover.

The NBA 2K26 release will feature three editions: the Standard Edition with Gilgeous-Alexander, the Superstar Edition with Carmelo Anthony, and the WNBA Edition with female star Angel Reese.

Gilgeous-Alexander becomes the third former Kentucky player to grace the NBA 2K cover, marking the fourth overall instance for a Wildcat. Anthony Davis appeared on the covers of NBA 2K16 and NBA 2K20, while Devin Booker was featured on NBA 2K23.

Additionally, 2K and EA Sports are developing a college basketball game, but it is not expected to be released until 2028, meaning fans will have to rely on NBA games like NBA 2K26 to play with former Kentucky players in the interim.