Ronnie 2K discusses OKC Thunder, SGA, as a future cover athlete in a recent interview

The anticipation of "NBA 2K25" intensifies as the September 6 launch date approaches. The basketball video game is Take-Two Interactive's flagship, generating tens of millions of players during each title's life cycle.

This year's release marks one of the most exciting ever, with improved graphics, life-like gameplay using the "Pro Play" mechanism, and refined game modes.

Coming off a regular season and offseason among the most successful in their history, the Oklahoma City Thunder will be a focal point in NBA 2K25. Recently, ThunderWire interviewed Ronnie Singh, known prominently as "Ronnie 2K," to find out what went behind the game's development, crafting ratings, and even future candidates for the cover athletes.

On SGA's rating

Among point guards, 26-year-old Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the second highest-rated at 96 overall, lagging behind 97 overall Luka Doncic. While SGA has yet to quite crack the best of the best in the video game, it's only a matter of time before he threatens to take the throne.

Ronnie 2K said, "The development in his game is amazing. It was a huge deal when he got traded from the Clippers to the Thunder. He's the pride and joy of the Thunder and is now the fourth-highest-rated player in the league. It's remarkable. There is a lot to be said about the Thunder. All those young guys, all those picks that -- who knows what those are going to be -- whether it's going to be lumped into a megastar or used for rebuilding the team. The guy is dynamic and can really do anything, and his game has just grown year after year. He's also a great guy, so the Thunder have much to be excited about. Their stars are the biggest thing to be excited about on that team."

On OKC's robust rise

Watching the Thunder rattle off 57 wins a season ago caught the wide eyes of virtually everyone in the NBA universe; the developers behind America's No. 1 basketball video game had no choice but to take notice. Throughout the summer, Oklahoma City has earned a top spot on nearly every ranking , with only the Boston Celtics standing in the way.

Ronnie 2K: "They're so good, and they're so young. Much of that is about going on that journey and having bumps. They took a phase of that last year but are still so young. Their star is young. Their big guy is young. They have plenty of road ahead if they can keep their core together and try to improve with all those draft picks. They're a team to look out for at the trade deadline because they got so much stashed up."

With Shai leading the way, OKC's top five players are all ranked 81 overall and above. Luguentz Dort and Alex Caruso each received a perimeter defensive rating in the 90s, making them two of the top players in that department in NBA 2K25.

The big reveal: Is Shai a future cover athlete candidate?

Following consecutive seasons of primary MVP consideration and a scoring average of over 30 a game, the Thunder playmaker is climbing up the ladder and onto everyone's radar. From players like Dwyane Wade saying he deserved to be named last season's MVP to a panel of experts recently voting him to capture next season's award, Gilgeous-Alexander is pacing to be the face of the NBA once the stars of yesteryear — LeBron James and Steph Curry — are ready to hand over the torch.

"I'd like to say he is a future cover athlete; one day, I hope that happens," said Ronnie 2K.

In a recent interview, Ronnie 2K discusses OKC Thunder, SGA, as a future cover athlete.

D: The developers highly regard the Thunder, with five of the team's players earning a top 100 spot.

MD: In a recent interview, the face of NBA 2K, Ronnie 2K, discussed Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder in NBA 2K25.

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