If you’re preparing for the release of NBA 2K26, what better way to get started than to learn the basics for the MyPlayer gamemode? The mode thrusts you into a career of your own as a basketball player in the NBA, allowing you to customize your player as you progress further.
Now, you can always upgrade your base stats one by one, but today’s topic is about another way to enhance your player’s capabilities: Badges. We’ll be going over all the badges in NBA 2K26 and what requirements you need to unlock them.
What Are Badges In NBA 2K26?
Badges are items you can use to increase player stats in MyPlayer mode. They offer small stat bonuses, allowing you to go over the regular threshold. There are a total of 15 badges you can earn in NBA 2K26, but not all of them can be applied to every player. Height comes into play when assigning badges, meaning each badge has a specific height requirement.
Once you’re through with the height requirements, you’ll notice each badge can be upgraded. Badges can go through 5 tiers, the final one being ‘Legend’. Each tier/level has certain requirements you must fulfil before it moves on to the next tier. If you’re curious about how you can get the best badges to give your player that extra edge, keep reading as we explain everything.
NBA 2K26 Badge Requirements
Here’s a comprehensive list of all 15 badges, their height requirement, and level upgrade requirements
| Badge | Height Rq. | Bronze | Silver | Gold | HOF | Legend |
| Challenger (Perimeter Def) | Under 7’0 | 71 Perimeter Def. | 82 Perimeter Def. | 92 Perimeter Def. | 95 Perimeter Def. | 99 Perimeter Def. |
| On-Ball Menace (PD + Agility) | Under 6’10 | 74 PD + 70 Agility | 85 PD + 76 Agility | 91 PD + 80 Agility | 96 PD + 84 Agility | 99 PD + 86 Agility |
| Glove (Steal) | Under 7’1 | 67 Steal | 79 Steal | 91 Steal | 96 Steal | 99 Steal |
| Pick Dodger (PD + Agility) | Under 6’11 | 73 PD + 71 Agility | 83 PD + 75 Agility | 90 PD + 79 Agility | 97 PD + 85 Agility | 99 PD + 92 Agility |
| Interceptor (Steal) | All | 60 Steal | 73 Steal | 85 Steal | 94 Steal | 98 Steal |
| Post Lockdown (Interior Def + Strength) | At Least 6’5 | 74 Interior Def. + 70 Strength | 82 Interior Def. + 78 Strength | 88 Interior Def. + 84 Strength | 93 Interior Def. + 92 Strength | 99 Interior Def. + 97 Strength |
| Immovable Enforcer (PD + Strength) | All | 62 PD + 71 Strength | 72 PD + 82 Strength | 84 PD + 85 Strength | 89 PD + 91 Strength | 94 PD + 92 Strength |
| Boxout Beast (DREB or OREB) | At Least 6’3 | 55 DREB or OREB | 70 DREB or OREB | 85 DREB or OREB | 94 DREB or OREB | 98 DREB or OREB |
| Rebound Chaser (DREB or OREB) | All | 60 DREB or OREB | 80 DREB or OREB | 92 DREB or OREB | 96 DREB or OREB | 99 DREB or OREB |
| Off-Ball Pest (Interior Def or PD) | All | 69 Interior Def. or 58 PD | 76 Interior Def. or 68 PD | 85 Interior Def. or 80 PD | 94 Interior Def. or 87 PD | 97 Interior Def. or 98 PD |
| Paint Patroller (Interior Def + Block) | At Least 6’6 | 60 Interior Def. + 74 Block | 70 Interior Def. + 84 Block | 77 Interior Def. + 93 Block | 84 Interior Def. + 97 Block | 89 Interior Def. + 99 Block |
| High-Flying Denier (Block + Vertical) | At Least 6’3 | 68 Block + 60 Vertical | 78 Block + 74 Vertical | 88 Block + 80 Vertical | 92 Block + 83 Vertical | 99 Block + 85 Vertical |
| Pogo Stick (Vertical) | At Least 6’4 | 63 Vertical | 70 Vertical | 77 Vertical | 83 Vertical | 88 Vertical |
| Brick Wall (Strength) | At Least 6’5 | 72 Strength | 83 Strength | 91 Strength | 95 Strength | 99 Strength |
| Slippery Off-Ball (Speed + Agility) | Under 6’10 | 57 Speed + Agility | 73 Speed + 65 Agility | 85 Speed + 77 Agility | 92 Speed + 88 Agility | 99 Speed + 96 Agility |
