Trailblazers’ Damian Lillard announced as cover athlete for NBA 2K21

Portland Trail Blazers star Damian Lillard will be on the cover of NBA 2K21. (Photo courtesy: @NBA2K21 on Twitter)

Portland Trailblazers sharpshooter Damian Lillard will be one of three players on the cover of NBA 2K21.

2K Sports announced the news in a video featuring Lillard in a number of quick sketches posted Tuesday morning.

Lillard will be the cover athlete for current-generation console players, while two others — a next-gen cover athlete for the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X versions, and a Legends cover athlete — will be revealed on Wednesday and Thursday, respectively, per ESPN.

“There are a lot of great players in the NBA today, but Damian Lillard has done a particularly standout job of representing the current generation of NBA superstar,” said Alfie Brody, vice president of marketing for NBA 2K, according to NBC’s Portland affliate. “From his cultural influence, musical success, off the court leadership, and on court domination, he’s the perfect fit for our cover of NBA 2K21 on current-generation platforms; we’re honoured to have him.”

NBA 2K21 will be the first iteration of the annual series on the new PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X. A teaser trailer released in early June featuring New Orleans Pelicans star rookie Zion Williamson led to speculation he’ll be named the game’s next-gen cover athlete.

In addition to being on the cover, Lillard and 2K Sports are teaming up to revitalize a basketball court in Lillard’s hometown of Oakland, Calif.

“This is a special moment for me in my NBA career,” Lillard said in a statement, per ESPN. “I’ve been a fan of NBA 2K for years and love how they represent all aspects of basketball culture. I’m an avid 2K player, so I’m honoured to join the other NBA greats who have been on the cover.”

No release date for the game has been announced.

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