NBA 2K26 Reveals SGA, Angel Reese and Carmelo Anthony Covers and Release Date

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander isn't the only basketball star who will grace the cover of an NBA 2K26 game this year.

After NBA 2K announced Tuesday that the Oklahoma City Thunder guard will be on the cover of the NBA 2K26 Standard Edition, it revealed Wednesday that Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese will be on the cover of the NBA 2K26 WNBA Edition. 

What's more, legend Carmelo Anthony will be on the cover of the NBA 2K26 Superstar Edition. All three players will also share the cover of NBA 2K26 Leave No Doubt Edition.

The iconic video game series putting a current NBA player, current WNBA player and basketball legend on different covers is nothing new, as Jayson Tatum of the Boston Celtics, A'ja Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces and Basketball Hall of Famer Vince Carter were all on the covers last year.

Previous editions have also featured legends such as Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant and Dwyane Wade on the cover.

In terms of current players, SGA was anything but a surprising choice. After all, he just finished an astounding season that included a championship, the NBA Finals MVP, the league MVP and the scoring title.

It was a dream season that cemented him as one of the faces of the league. Being on the cover of the latest edition of basketball's most famous video game is just his latest accomplishment.

"Every kid who grows up playing basketball pictures themselves on the cover of NBA 2K—it's a dream come true moment, especially following an NBA championship," Gilgeous-Alexander said in the press release.

As for Reese, she has been under the national spotlight since starring as a champion at LSU. The No. 7 overall pick of the 2024 WNBA draft is now the franchise cornerstone for the Sky and will be suiting up for her second All-Star Game in as many seasons on July 19.

She has taken significant strides in her second season and just extended her streak of double-doubles and games with 15 or more rebounds to six during Tuesday's loss to the Washington Mystics.

The NBA 2K26 WNBA Edition with her on the cover will be a GameStop Exclusive Physical Edition available in the United States.

"Being on the cover of NBA 2K26 and debuting my first-ever signature shoe with Reebok on that cover, the Angel Reese 1, is more than a milestone—it's a statement," Reese said. "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. I'm proud to be part of a game that continues to elevate women's basketball and can't wait for fans to see how NBA 2K26 brings our game to life like never before."

If she and SGA one day reach the Hall of Fame, fellow cover athlete Anthony will be waiting for them.

The No. 3 pick of the 2003 NBA draft is a member of the 2025 Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame class after a legendary career that included a scoring title, three Olympic gold medals, six All-NBA selections, 10 All-Star Game nods and a spot on the NBA's 75th Anniversary Team.

Anthony was one of the defining players of his generation and will now be front and center for a new generation as one of the players on the covers of NBA 2K26.

"For more than 20 years, 2K fans have been a part of my journey," Anthony said. "Being honored on the cover of NBA 2K26 and inducted into the Hall of Fame in the same year is surreal. It's a celebration of every chapter, every city that embraced me, every team that believed in me, and every person who's been part of this ride with me."

NBA 2K26 will be available on Sept. 5 on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC via Steam, Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2.

Those who purchase the Superstar Edition or the Leave No Doubt Edition for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and PC will have early access starting Aug. 29.