NBA 2K26 is gearing up for a release this September, and, as always, one of the biggest talking points heading into launch is the player ratings. You know the drill: fans debate, speculate, and sometimes rage when their favourite player doesn’t break that 90-plus barrier. Well, now we’ve got the early confirmations, and leading the pack are three familiar faces.
Giannis, Jokic, and SGA share the throne at 98 Overall
It’s getting crowded at the top in NBA 2K26. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Nikola Jokic, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander all come into the upcoming release with a blistering 98 overall rating, which is the highest in the game. For Giannis, this marks his third time occupying the number one spot in the last four years, and it’s his personal best, rising from the 97 mark in previous editions.
Giannis led the charge for the Milwaukee Bucks last season with an MVP-caliber performance, while back-to-back NBA Finals MVP Nikola Jokic did what Jokic does best: dominate with quiet intensity. SGA’s 98 comes after his elite-level play that elevated the Oklahoma City Thunder into serious playoff territory. It’s official: he’s made the superstar leap, and 2K is taking notice.
Who’s next in line?
Just a hair behind the 98 club are two names who need no introduction. Luka Doncic and the ageless legend LeBron James, both of the Los Angeles Lakers, clock in at 96 overall. Despite the Lakers’ rollercoaster season, these two carried the torch in more ways than one.
Right at their heels, it’s the usual sharpshooting suspects: Stephen Curry (Golden State Warriors), Jayson Tatum (Boston Celtics), and surprisingly, Anthony Davis (now with the Dallas Mavericks) all scored at 95 overall.
Rising stars, solid veterans
Victor Wembanyama continues to live up to the hype. The French phenom and Rookie of the Year bags an impressive 94 overall rating in just his second season, joining Anthony Edwards (Minnesota Timberwolves) and Donovan Mitchell (Cleveland Cavaliers) in that elite bracket.
Veteran all-stars and playoff staples like Kevin Durant (now at the Houston Rockets), Joel Embiid (Philadelphia 76ers), and New York Knicks’ duo Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns ring in at 93 overall.
Meanwhile, the 92 club feels a little like the wild card zone: talented, electric, and hungry. In this group, we have Kyrie Irving, Ja Morant, Cade Cunningham, and Evan Mobley. All four could be due for a ratings boost if they get hot early in the season.
Ratings in the 2K universe do more than just determine who’s dominant on the court: they spark heated barbershop debates, social media campaigns, and of course, those endless MyTEAM builds. Whether you agree with SGA’s leap to 98 or think KD deserves a little more love, one thing’s for sure: NBA 2K26 is already shaping up to be a game filled with rankings drama, new modes, and an even higher bar for digital basketball excellence.