Shai Gilgeous-Alexander reacts to being NBA 2K26 cover athlete: 'A dream come true'

Like King Midas, anything Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has touched over the last year has turned to gold. The 27-year-old is fresh off one of the greatest individual seasons ever. An MVP award and a championship ring headlined his historic campaign.

The Oklahoma City Thunder cemented their spot among the greatest teams ever. A historic 68-14 regular-season record translated into the playoffs with the manifestation of a championship. Now, there's no denying Gilgeous-Alexander is one of the best players in the league and is well on his way to being an all-time great.

After the championship parade, the accolades kept piling up. He may need to build a second trophy case as his MVP, Western Conference Finals MVP and NBA Finals MVP awards were likely stuffed in the first one. To continue his offseason celebrations, Gilgeous-Alexander was also named the NBA 2K26 cover athlete.

It's an honor only the NBA's best players have. Gilgeous-Alexander has skyrocketed to the top with three straight 30-plus point campaigns. It's only right that the Year of SGA gets to don the NBA 2K cover. After all, he's one of the highest-rated players in the video game.

"It means the world. A game I grew up playing since I was young and can remember," Gilgeous-Alexander said. "To know I'm the cover of the game is a surreal feeling. A dream come true."

Gilgeous-Alexander is an unapologetic 2K head. He always talks to Ronnie 2K about the game and gives him feedback. After hoping to land on cover art, the 27-year-old made it undeniable with such a historic season.

"I was ecstatic. I was through the moon," Gilgeous-Alexander said. "Tried to hold back some tears."

NBA 2K26 will release on Sept. 5. The annual game serves as a reminder to get basketball back in the mainstream after the offseason is about over. The Thunder and Gilgeous-Alexander will enter the 2025-26 season as a favorite to repeat as champions.

Adding to his resume 😎

SGA speaks on being a #NBA2K26 Cover Athlete 🎥 pic.twitter.com/Wpo5AHFYRT

— NBA 2K (@NBA2K) July 28, 2025

This article originally appeared on OKC Thunder Wire: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander reacts to being NBA 2K26 cover athlete