To put it simply, Angel Reese has been on a tear lately. The Chicago Sky superstar was announced as the NBA 2K26 WNBA cover athlete on Wednesday, just days after being selected to play her second WNBA All-Star game.
Angel’s World
If that wasn’t sweet enough, Reese also used the cover unveiling as an opportunity to reveal her first signature Reebok shoe.
“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 in a 2K press release. “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.”
Reese shared the news with her fans on social media in style, the only way she knows how.
Of course we do everything BIG. Why not debut my signature shoe on the cover of NBA2K ?!?!🙂↔️ https://t.co/pLZprHT33a
— Angel Reese (@Reese10Angel) July 9, 2025
“Of course we do everything BIG,” Reese wrote. “Why not debut my signature shoe on the cover of NBA2K ?!?!🙂↔️”
Reese’s play has undoubtedly lived up to the hype recently. Since turning around a slow start that probably drew more attention than it deserved, the 23-year-old forward has arguably been the third-best post player in the entire league behind Napheesa Collier and A’ja Wilson. Reese has averaged 19.4 points. 16.6 rebounds and five assists in her last five games and her 12.9 rebounds per game on the season so far is 3.3 rebounds ahead of Jonquel Jones for second place.
Two-plus Decades of Melo
In addition, Carmelo Anthony was chosen as the Championship Edition cover athlete, marking a career grand slam of legendary video game covers for the iconic NBA sharpshooter. Melo has graced the cover of NCAA March Madness 2004, NBA Live 2005, NBA Street Homecourt, and now NBA 2K26.
Carmelo Anthony has completed the video game cycle pic.twitter.com/lpYFj87lFy
— CTRL the Narrative (@ctrlnarrative) July 9, 2025
“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.”
Reese and Anthony will also join the game’s main cover athlete, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, on the cover of the Leave No Doubt Edition. The Leave No Doubt edition is expected to include additional MyTeam and MyCareer content, as well as extra virtual currency.
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