Ronnie 2K Reveals How Jayson Tatum Was Chosen As The Cover Athlete For NBA 2K25

In a recent interview with Tomer Azarly on ClutchPoints, Ronnie Singh, better known as Ronnie 2K, delved into the process behind selecting Jayson Tatum as the cover athlete for NBA 2K25. The decision, according to Ronnie, was rooted in three main criteria that have always guided the NBA 2K team when choosing their cover stars.

"Yeah, the cover athlete is really picked in in my mind and always has been in three ways." 

"Number one, are they authentic to our brand and do they play our game? I actually released this video when we announced Jayson of like how we kind of built this road to the cover since his rookie year."

"Him and I have worked together a ton and I've seen him play the game. He's great at it. He loves the game. It meant a lot to him as a kid. He talked about it every single time, it was the continuous like joy that 2k brought him and that's authentic. You can't teach that, so that's number one." 

"Number two is trajectory. We don't make the cover, we don't figure out the cover in June, right? It's he won the championship, but we haven't had a championship cover star since I believe Steph Curry in 2K16, so it's been a while. So everybody, consumers are always like, ‘put the Finals MVP on there.'" 

"It doesn't really work that way, but we believed in what he was gonna do last year and we definitely believe in what he's gonna do this year. So the trajectory is there. And then finally for number three, it's about how we build either the game or what the story we're trying to tell is with marketing." 

"That's a big one for us. So he really aligned with some of the things that we haven't shown yet and we were going to show. Also, and and then just what we're doing with marketing. ‘Ball Over Everything.' He really aligns with that catch phrase." 

Firstly, the cover athlete's authenticity to the NBA 2K brand is paramount. Ronnie emphasized that Tatum’s genuine love for the game played a significant role in the decision. Tatum’s consistent engagement with NBA 2K throughout his career, dating back to his rookie year, showcased his deep connection to the game. This authentic passion made him a natural fit for the cover, as it aligns with the brand's core values.

The second factor is the athlete’s trajectory. Ronnie explained that the decision is not made in response to recent successes, such as winning a championship. Instead, it's about recognizing the athlete's potential and future impact. The NBA 2K team believed in Tatum’s continued rise in the NBA, which made him an ideal choice. 

Finally, the choice is also influenced by how the athlete fits into the narrative or marketing strategy the game aims to convey. This year’s theme, "Ball Over Everything," resonated strongly with Tatum’s approach to the game, further solidifying his place as the cover star.

Jayson Tatum, who is rated as the 8th highest player in the game, behind legends like LeBron James and Stephen Curry, represents not just the present but the future of the NBA, making him a fitting face for NBA 2K25 and a perfect reward for winning his first ever NBA title.