The cover athlete for NBA 2K9 was unveiled by 2K Sports in a highly anticipated TV spot during the 2008 NBA Finals.

NBA 2K9 was released to critical acclaim and commercial success, with many praising its improved graphics and gameplay compared to previous titles in the series. The game featured an authentic roster of real-life NBA players and teams, as well as new features such as signature moves for each player.

The cover athlete announcement generated significant buzz among basketball fans and gaming enthusiasts alike, with speculation running rampant about who would be chosen for one of the most coveted roles in sports video games at that time. In the end, it was none other than NBA superstar Kobe Bryant who donned the cover art for NBA 2K9.

Bryant's inclusion on the cover served as a major endorsement for both him and his team, the Los Angeles Lakers. His impressive play throughout the regular season had helped lead LA to an undefeated record at one point in time before ultimately falling short of their ultimate goal - winning another championship title that year.

Despite not bringing home hardware themselves though; there was still plenty reason cause celebration amongst fans everywhere because here's hoping more exciting moments like these will come out soon when NBA 2K10 rolls around next month!

Nba 2k9 cover athlete