NBA 2K9 cover athlete reveal on June 5th

2K Sports will be announcing the cover athlete for NBA 2K9 during a 30 second TV spot prior to the start of the first game of the NBA Finals on Thursday June 5th. It should air within the half hour of the NBA Countdown show which starts at 830et/530pt.

Prior to that a contest is being held for a chance to win an autographed jersey of the cover athlete and a copy of 2K9. To enter go here and choose who you think will get the cover from a list of 16 players.

Previously it seemed there would be little doubt that 2K would re-up with Chris Paul. He had an incredible season and they have a history of having cover athletes stretch over consecutive years. He is actually within the list of players so that is still a strong possibility. However it would seem somewhat suspicious that they would go to these lengths only to end up with the news that the same player from last year would be returning.

The name on the list I would lean towards is Brandon Roy as he fits the mold that made Chris Paul their choice last year. Kevin Garnett might be the next most likely given the chance that he’ll be participating in the NBA Finals when the announcement is made as well as how 2K has gone with cover athletes that are established players with career resumes of success (Shaq, Jeter) in the past.