As NBA 2K25 is releasing next month, excitement for the game has never been higher. While Celtics star Jayson Tatum will be the cover athlete of 2K25—a well-deserved honor following his NBA championship—Ronnie 2K has hinted at another athlete he wants to feature as a cover athlete in the future. Let’s dive into who that might be.

Recently, Ronnie 2k talked about the possibility of the OKC star Shai Gilgeous Alexander‘s chances of being a cover athlete for the 2k with Nick Crain and Ryan Stiles. According to Ronnie, they only work with folks who are real-deal 2K fans—people who play the game, know its history, and vibe with everything 2K is about. “He is a really good dude and he is obviously aligned with a lot of the things that we align with. With fashion and music and all the elements that 2k is known for,” Ronnie 2k said about Shai Gilgeous Alexander.

“So, I’d like to say he is a future cover athlete. You know one day, hopefully, that happens. And he is definitely obviously on the rise, being 4th in the 2k ratings is not a bad uhh not a bad feather in your cap for sure.” he added. Being ranked 4th in NBA 2K with a 96 rating is no small flex, especially since 2K isn’t known for handing out high ratings easily. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander isn’t just killing it as one of the top players in 2K—he’s also been front and center in the promotional content leading up to the game’s drop on September 6. This collaboration is real because he’s got that genuine vibe—he’s not just playing the game, he’s really into it, making him a perfect fit for the hype.

Even with all the hype, fans had an underwhelming reaction to the nod Shai got from 2K.

“If Tatum got the cover, anyone can be on the cover,” wrote one fan. While Jayson Tatum had a championship run, his performance at the Olympics didn’t go as well. Being completely snubbed for two games and not bringing his A-game in the games he did play seems to have affected how some fans view him as a player. Let’s dive into more reactions.

Fans Aren’t Feeling the Idea of Shai on the NBA 2K Cover

Another fan wrote, “What about Jokic lmao dude is a 3X mvp and an nba champ.” Nikola Jokić is one of the highest-rated players in NBA 2K25, and even though he’s had top ratings in several 2K games, he’s never been on the cover. The question is valid, but if we consider what Ronnie said about who his company prefers to work with, it might shed some light on this fan’s concern.

One fan sided with Donovan Mitchell by writing, “Donovan Mitchell is better and cooler.” Even though the Utah Jazz haven’t made the playoffs since the 2021-22 season, Donovan Mitchell’s been a beast on both ends of the court. With over 26 points, 6 assists, and 5 rebounds per game, he’s been the top player on the team. So, yeah, Donovan Mitchell is pretty cool, but is he better and cooler than Shai, who’s dropping over 30 points and 6 assists per game? You decide.

Well, one fan thinks Anthony Edwards should be on the cover first. By writing “Over Ant?? Hell naw,” the fan seems convinced that ANT-MAN should get the cover before Shai. Edwards is already an Olympic gold medalist and led the Timberwolves to the Western Conference Finals for the first time in 20 years, so the comment makes sense, but Shai is not too bad either.

Though some fans aren’t thrilled about the idea of Shai being on the cover next, others are rooting for him. One fan wrote, “this needs to happen,” suggesting that Shai deserves the honor from 2K. What are your thoughts on this?

Before you go, do not forget to check out this crossover between BG12 and Georgia Bulldogs star Asia Avinger.