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.