NBA 2K26 is the latest installment of the popular basketball series that goes all the way back to 1999, the PS1 and Sega Dreamcast days. But with the franchise being as old as it is, there’s one feature that’s really not that old but feels like it’s been around for ages: badges.
We actually first got a taste of badges before NBA 2K started really doing them. The underrated All-Pro Football 2K8 had a feature where there were no attributes for any of the game’s NFL legends. Instead, they leaned on a badge-like system to showcase each player’s best skills on the gridiron.
Then, NBA 2K started implementing a similar method a few years after APF 2K8, where each player can have zero to five badges/signature abilities. Of course, the biggest stars maxed out at five of these badges. Since then, the badge system has evolved into a significant aspect, and now it’s one of, if not the most important factor, that 2K players consider when creating new MyPLAYERs.
There were four tiers of badge levels: Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Hall of Fame. Then, a new tier was introduced in NBA 2K25 called Legend, and this is now the highest level you can achieve for a badge. It typically requires a 99 rating on one of your attributes, or with the help of Badge Elevators and Badge Perks. With all of this being said, there are always fan favorite badges in the NBA 2K series, but what are some of the most underrated ones? Let’s take a look.
Pogo Stick
This is for the jumpers in NBA 2K26. Whether it’s for blocks, rebounds, or jumpshots, this badge can have a sneaky good impact. It allows you to quickly jump again after landing. So if you jump at a pump fake, you can quickly jump back up and successfully get your block despite falling for the pump fake initially.
Your second block attempt isn’t going to always be successful, of course, but it’s still nice to give yourself that opportunity in the first place. This badge is also good for rebounding, as maybe you jumped too early at a board; well, you can quickly jump up again and grab the ball before it lands in other hands.
Another nice thing about this badge is that it isn’t costly. You can get Pogo Stick at Legend if your Vertical is at 88, unlike with most badges, you need a 99 in a certain attribute to get Legend. Now, keep in mind, I’m not saying you have to get Legend for Pogo Stick; it’s not necessary, as, although it’s a solid badge, it’s not as impactful as others. Unless you’re trying to make a high-flying MyPLAYER build, then your vertical might already be that high anyway, but there’s no need to force the Legend tier.
Set Shot Specialist
This badge in NBA 2K26 is about as straightforward as it gets. It’s all about just shooting the basketball, and no, not while on the move, or not with a post fade, but just by standing still. Yup, that’s right; just standing there. This badge rewards you for knocking down stationary jumpers.
This simple beauty comes in handy in catch-and-shoot situations, and it’s also affordable. If your three or mid-range rating is at 83, you can get Set Shot Specialist at silver. 89 three or mid-range will bring the badge to gold. And I mention the 89 because that would also give you the popular Limitless Range badge at silver as well.
This is a badge that’s been in the series for quite a bit of time now but it quietly provides impact to your shooting ability to coincide with badges like Deadeye and Limitless Range. And this badge especially comes in handy on corner threes, since the green window is already bigger from the corner. Set Shot Specialist just makes that easier.
Hook Specialist
This badge is definitely more niche as it’s usually more suited for big MyPLAYER builds. That said, if you have a guard with both a good Close Shot and Post Control rating, then you can add this badge to your repertoire. But Hook Specialist is underrated simply because a lot of players don’t utilize post hooks as part of their offensive attack.
With a good animation and just getting comfortable with the timing, a post hook is easily one of the most dangerous moves in NBA 2K26. It’s very difficult to guard and contest, and with shooting being easier this year than last year, it makes hooks that much more scary.
And just like with the other badges we mentioned so far, Hook Specialist has a pretty simple barrier to entry. Having a Close Shot of 75 and a Post Control 65 gets your Hook Specialist to silver. 87 CS and 80 PC get it to gold. And when you’re putting points into your shooting attributes, that’ll automatically lift your Close Shot rating so you can almost get the Hook Specialist badge by accident. Just make sure the Post Control is high enough.
Float Game
Similar to Hook Specialist, Float Game is a relatively underrated badge because a lot of players don’t use floaters. But if it is something that’s a part of your game in NBA 2K26, then the Float Game badge is your good friend that you can hang out with and crack jokes with.
And all you need is a 78 Close Shot or 78 Driving Layup to snag the silver version of this badge. Floaters, when mastered, are very dangerous like post hooks. They’re hard to defend, and they’re tricky to block because of the trajectory of the shot.
They’re arguably a bit harder to knock down than something like a post hook, but it really just depends on your attributes. If you’re a player who likes getting your points inside the three-point line, then this badge could be a secret weapon, no matter your position.
Post Up Poet
Feeling a little dreamy like Hakeem Olajuwon? Then the Post Up Poet badge is right for your MyPLAYER in NBA 2K26, whether he’s a forward or a center. This badge will benefit you if you enjoy pulling off some crafty moves in the paint. And doing so effectively will give you some easy points right at the basket.
It’s definitely a niche badge, but if doing Dream Shakes is something that’s in your bag or you want to add to your bag, then Post Up Poet is a nice addition to your badge collection. Combining this with something like the Post Powerhouse badge is a scary combination.
If you can tweak your MyPLAYER to where he has both of these badges plus a shooting badge or two, then you can be an absolute threat on offense. Shoot from deep, score in the paint in multiple ways; that’s just really tough to stop.
