Giannis Antetokounmpo is the latest cover athlete for NBA 2K. The Milwaukee Bucks big was unveiled as the latest cover star for the long-running video game series, joining LeBron James as cover athletes for the NBA 2K series this year.
2K Sports announced the cover athlete for the Standard Edition of its basketball game on Monday as part of a livestream event on its YouTube page. The event was at first billed as broadcasting from a secret location until it was revealed that it was coming from Athens, Greece, Giannis’ hometown.
Antetokounmpo is the first international star to make the game’s cover, and he spoke about the importance of European basketball’s growth at the event on Monday.
https://twitter.com/NBA2K/status/1013821499239645185
The cover features writing on it similar to the James cover that was announced in June. The names of his brothers are on the cover as well as other personal touches, something that makes this year’s covers unique compared to its predecessors.
2K Sports also dropped a trailer for the game, which features a narration from his mother.
And being a 2K fan, of course he was worried about what his rating will be in the game.
“Of course my rating should be 99,” he said before correcting himself. “Not 99. 101. Never been done before.”
Antetokounmpo later said he’d settle for a 94 or 95, noting that he can always improve. He noted that he started out as a 60 rating in the game and ended last season as a 94, and that’s something he’s proud of.
Last year’s cover athlete, Kyrie Irving, caused some trouble after he was revealed by requesting a trade and becoming a Boston Celtic. But that kind of problem doesn’t seem likely this time around.
