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The annual NBA 2K Cover Athlete selection process has evolved into a highly anticipated event that kicks off the new wave of hype and news for the upcoming game. This year should be no different, as 2K fans predict who they think the NBA 2K25 Cover Athlete will be.
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The NBA 2K25 Cover Athlete can be expected to be announced during the 2024 NBA Summer League, the tournament event sponsored by 2K, which runs from July 12 through July 22, 2024. 2K has announced the last two cover athletes (Michael Jordan for 2K23 and Kobe for NBA 2K24) during the event. As the next class of rookies start their NBA journey, we should likely get the first wave of news about the game as well.
The 2K Community has made it known who they want for the NBA 2K25 Cover Athlete. We ran a Twitter / X poll on who the NBA 2K25 Cover Athlete should be (results below). Various graphic designers from the 2K Community have given their own renditions of projected cover athletes as well. The list is in order by most votes received:
Anthony Edwards (36.6%)
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Anthony Edwards, a.k.a. “Ant Man”, is one of the funnest players to watch in the league. The Minnesota Timberwolves superstar has taken his game and the Twovles to new heights this season with his electrifying and aggressive playstyle, while also bringing out the best in his teammates. The No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft is just 22-year-old and has been called “the future face of the NBA,” with some comparing his game and style to a young Michael Jordan. Edwards also has acting chops, making a cameo in the 2022 basketball movie “Hustle” with Adam Sandler.
- 2023-24 Stats: 25.9 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 5.1 assists per game
- 2x NBA All-Star (2023, 2024)
- NBA All-Rookie First Team (2021)
- All-FIBA World Cup Team (2023)
Nikola Jokic (26.9%)
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Nikola Jokic, known as “the Joker,” is a 3-time NBA MVP who has revolutionized the center position by playing as the “Point Center.” Using his elite passing ability and basketball IQ to set up his teammates for easy buckets, he’s a triple-double threat every night and a super efficient scorer. Last season he led the Denver Nuggets to their first NBA championship in the organization’s history.
- 2023-24 Stats: Averaged 26.4 points, 12.4 rebounds, and 9.0 assists per game
- Three-time NBA MVP (2021, 2022, 2024)
- NBA Finals MVP (2023)
- Led Denver Nuggets to their first NBA Championship (2023)
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (20.4%)
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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, a.k.a. “SGA, is the talented PG for the Oklahoma Thunder who elevated his game to superstardom this season. SGA can score from anywhere on the court and is one of the most fluid scorers in the NBA.
- 2023-24 Stats: Averaged 30.1 points, 6.2 assists, and 5.5 rebounds per game
- 2× NBA All-Star (2023, 2024)
- All-NBA First Team (2023)
- NBA All-Rookie Second Team (2019)
Jayson Tatum (16.1%)
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Jayson Tatum has emerged as one of the top players in the league, leading the Boston Celtics to a 64-18 record this season. He’s already reached the Eastern Conference finals three times and the NBA Finals once. This year, Tatum looks to get over the hump and to try to win his first championship.
2023-24 Stats: Average 26.9 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 4.9 assists per game
- Five-time NBA All-Star (2020-2024)
- Two-time All-NBA First Team (2022, 2023)
- All-NBA Third Team (2020)
- All-Rookie First Team (2018)
- 2022 Eastern Conference Finals MVP
- Gold Medal Winner, Tokyo Olympics (2020)
- 2023 All-Star Game MVP
Allen Iverson (Honorable Mention)
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Allen Iverson, “The Answer,” was relatively small in stature for the NBA, but played like a giant. AI was a pure scorer with amazing handles, ridiculous quickness, and always left it all out on the court. Iverson won the NBA MVP award in 2001 and carried the Philadelphia 76ers on his back to the NBA Finals.
- Averaged 26.7 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 6.2 assists per game for career
- NBA Champion (2001)
- NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) (2001)
- 11-time NBA All-Star
- 4-time NBA scoring champion (1999, 2001, 2002, 2005)
- 3-time NBA steals leader (2001, 2002, 2003)
- Rookie of the Year (1997)
- Member of the Hall of Fame (class of 2013)
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For many NBA players, it’s a dream come true to see themselves on the cover of NBA 2K, and many have played NBA 2K growing up and see it as one of the stepping stones to superstardom. Many players see it as an honor to be apart of an exclusive club of NBA stars who’ve been 2K cover athletes.
Gracing the game’s cover is only one of the aspects though, as players who are on the cover have traditionally had their signature moves upgraded, represent and promote the game, and some have been given their own modes (like the ‘Jordan Challenge’ for MJ in 2K23 and ‘Mamba Moments’ for Kobe in 2K24). Whether 2K extends this function for a current-day NBA player (if selected over a legend) remains to be seen, but would be a welcome addition.
Anthony Edwards seems to be the favorite to nab the NBA 2K25 Cover Athlete, but we’ll all just have to wait and see who gets the cover this year. Stay locked in to NBA 2KW for all the upcoming NBA 2K25 news!
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