Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s rise to NBA superstardom just reached another milestone.
According to Shams Charania of ESPN, former Kentucky Wildcats star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will grace the cover of NBA 2K26, joining an elite group of players from the Big Blue Nation to receive the honor.
He becomes the third Kentucky alum to land on the cover of the popular video game franchise, following Anthony Davis (NBA 2K20) and Devin Booker (NBA 2K23).
Gilgeous-Alexander’s NBA 2K26 cover appearance caps off what can only be described as the “Summer of SGA.” Over the past few months, the Oklahoma City Thunder guard was named league MVP, led the NBA in scoring, delivered the franchise its first championship since relocating from Seattle, earned NBA Finals MVP honors, and also signed a five-year, $285 million supermax extension.
On top of all that? He released his first signature shoe line.
A one-and-done at Kentucky during the 2017-18 season, Gilgeous-Alexander has become a fan favorite across the league, and his popularity will continue to rise. His success adds to the growing legacy of Kentucky guards thriving in the NBA, and his NBA 2K26 cover cements his place among the league’s elite.
From Lexington to dominating in the NBA, Gilgeous-Alexander’s journey has been nothing short of spectacular, and now being the cover athlete, it is just the latest chapter.
Summer of SGA: MVP award, league scoring title, an NBA championship, Finals MVP, a $285 million super max extension, first signature shoe release … and now Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will grace the new cover of NBA 2K26, per sources.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 8, 2025
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