Context:

2K Games has announced that NBA 2K26 will be released on September 5, featuring special edition covers with Angel Reese and Carmelo Anthony. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the reigning NBA MVP, will be the cover athlete for the standard edition, priced at $69.99 across major gaming platforms. The WNBA edition will spotlight Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese, while the superstar edition will feature Carmelo Anthony, who is poised for induction into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. Additionally, a unique edition will showcase all three cover athletes together. Reese expressed the significance of her cover appearance, emphasizing representation, confidence for young girls, and the growing influence of women's basketball within the game and beyond.

Dive Deeper:

• NBA 2K26 is set to launch on September 5, with Angel Reese and Carmelo Anthony gracing the covers of its special editions, marking a significant announcement from 2K Games.

• Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, known for his exceptional performance as the NBA MVP, has been selected as the cover athlete for the standard edition of NBA 2K26, which will be available for $69.99 on platforms including PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PC, and Nintendo Switch.

• Angel Reese, a forward for the Chicago Sky, will feature on the WNBA edition cover, highlighting the growing recognition and representation of women's basketball in mainstream sports media.

• Carmelo Anthony, who is anticipated to be inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, will be on the superstar edition cover, celebrating his illustrious career and contributions to the sport.

• A fourth edition of NBA 2K26 will bring together all three cover athletes, offering fans a comprehensive tribute to their individual and collective achievements.

• Angel Reese emphasized the importance of her cover appearance as a milestone for representation in sports, aiming to inspire young girls to embrace confidence and boldness in pursuing their ambitions.

• This announcement underscores NBA 2K's ongoing commitment to elevating women's basketball and acknowledging the legacy of veteran WNBA players who have shaped the league's current impact.