Angel Reese Reflects On Being NBA 2K26 Cover Athlete In Emotional Post Days Before Its Global Release

Angel Reese has a very personal reason to be excited for this year's NBA 2K release ... and it has everything to do with her face being on the cover. After being praised by the company for her unapologetic personality upon the announcement in July, Reese is now reflecting on the monumental occasion in a special way as the release date draws closer.

On her Instagram Story, Reese shared a photo of an NBA 2K billboard in the heart of Chicago. "Never taking this moment for granted, but so grateful," she wrote. "Having an NBA 2K cover and my first ever signature shoe on the cover in the city I play in! Wow."

Reese's post comes just one week before this year's edition of 2K is released for video game users. According to a previous report from The Blast, Reese opened up about what it means to her to share the cover of such an iconic game with other high-profile athletes.

"I'm so blessed to be honored," she said. "I was just super excited…just trying to be the first of many and have many young kids and young women look up to me and know that they can do the same things I'm doing."

The Chicago Sky star added, "The sky is the limit, even bigger than that, as long as you trust whatever you want and never let anybody put limitations on who you can be and what you can be."

Shortly after Reese was announced as 2K's cover athlete, social media erupted with questions about why her on-court rival, Caitlin Clark, wasn't the first option.

"NBA 2K26 is celebrating the bold, the confident, and the visionaries -- and WNBA All-Star Angel Reese carries all that on and off the court," NBA 2K general manager Zak Armitage said in July. "In her sophomore year in the WNBA, Angel Reese has made waves, created impactful conversations, and inspired the next generation. She's a storyteller and has helped the WNBA grow its audience."

And he's right. In addition to becoming a 2x All-Star, Reese is continuing to make her mark, leading the league in rebounds and double-doubles. She also recently surpassed Tina Charles for the most double-doubles in a player's first two seasons after notching her 46th.

This year's 2K video game will be the first released under the company's "multiyear partnership expansion" with the WNBA. According to a press release reported by The Blast, 2K and the WNBA have joined forces to highlight the impact of women's basketball in gaming.

“2K is where millions of young fans deepen their interest and fall further in love with the game of basketball. That’s why this partnership is so important,” said WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert. “As the WNBA continues to reach new milestones on the court and across fandom, our presence in NBA 2K ensures that our league and athletes are visible, celebrated, and inspiring the next generation of WNBA fans around the world.”

For Reese, simply being on the cover of NBA 2K wasn't enough. The elite athlete had to make a statement—and that she did. In addition to wearing her Chicago Sky uniform, Reese is also wearing her first-ever signature sneaker, the "Angel Reese 1."

"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," she said.

"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."

The "Angel Reese 1" will be available on Reebook.com and in brick-and-mortar retailers on September 18, 2025. Three colorways—Diamond Dust, Mebounds, Receipts Ready—are first in the lineup, followed by the Charm City colorway, which is Reese's tribute to her hometown of Baltimore, being released in October.

Regarding her first shoe, Reese had a clear mission in mind. "It's my style, my story, and my stamp on the game," she said. "Reebok and I built something that's true to who I am, and I hope it pushed others to stand in their power, too. At the end of the day, it's built for basketball, made to move and perform at the highest level."