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After revealing that NBA Hall of Famer and current Turner Sports analyst Shaquille O’Neal will represent the NBA 2K18 Legend edition, the famed basketball video game franchise unveiled its latest poster boy.
WATCH: Shaq, Kobe reunite in hilarious video for NBA 2K18
Just in time for the NBA Finals, Cleveland Cavaliers superstar point guard Kyrie Irving was named as the cover athlete for the the hit hoops simulation game.
Alfie Brody, vice president of marketing for NBA 2K, shared why “Uncle Drew” was bestowed the honor to grace this year’s cover.
“It’s obvious that Kyrie isn’t disappearing from the spotlight anytime soon, so we’re thrilled to have him as our cover athlete, alongside Shaq for the NBA 2K18 Legend Edition,” he said in a statement, as relayed by Fox Sports.
“He’s a more-than-worthy recipient of this honor, and joins so many other greats who were cover athletes before him.”
Irving has remained a fan-favorite since arriving in the league in the 2011-2012 NBA season. He won the Rookie of the Year Award the same year, was named All-Star MVP in 2014 and was a vital piece to the Cavs’ NBA Championship run last year.
Currently the ball-handling savant out of Duke is focused on winning another title for Cleveland, but also expressed his gratitude upon being chosen for the cover.
“It is well known that I’m an avid player of this series and I am honored to be the cover athlete of NBA 2K18,” he was quoted as saying in the report. “It’s surreal to be featured on the cover and I can’t wait to dominate on the virtual court with all of my fans this fall.”
NBA 2K18 is set to to invade video game stores on Sept. 19. Khristian Ibarrola /ra
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