NBA 2K21 (Next-Gen): Every MyPlayer Badge – Full list of Badges

MyPlayer Badges remained, for the most part, untouched for the current-gen edition of NBA 2K21. The vast majority of badges that were in NBA 2K20 returned to the game this past September, but that won’t be the case for the next-generation of consoles. Some familiar badges will return for the next-gen, but a lot will be new.

How Badges will work in NBA 2K21

In a ‘Next-Gen Gameplay Courtside Report’ article, NBA 2K Gameplay Director Mike Wang wrote that “a lot of thought and re-design” went into Badges for NBA 2K21. While there will be returning Badges for the game, Wang noted that players will notice some new ones. As far as Badge progression goes, Wang stated that it will work exactly the same as it did in the past: perform well in one of the four major categories (Finishing, Shooting, Playmaking, Defense/Rebounding), and you will receive points and the ability to unlock more badges.

List of Badges in NBA 2K21

Here are the Badges that are in the next-gen version of NBA 2K21:

Finishing

• Acrobat – Boosts the ability to make layups that have a high degree of difficulty
• Backdown Punisher – Increases the chances of a player successfully backing down their opponent
• Dream Shake – Raises the chances that a defender bites when doing fakes in the post
• Dropstepper – Improves a player’s ability to effectively use dropsteps in the past
• Fearless Finisher – Boosts contact layups and decreases fatigue
• Giant Slayer – Heightens the effectiveness of layups over taller defenders
• Heat Seeker – Boosts takeover progress on inside shots
• Highlight Film – Boosts teammate takeover progress on flashy dunks
• Hook Specialist – Boosts hook shot ability
• Lob City Finisher – Improves the chances of completing a successful alley-oop dunk/layup
• Post Spin Technician – Improves the ability of a post spin or drive to work effectively
• Posterizer – Improves the likelihood of posterizing your opponent
• Pro Touch – Gives an additional boost for having good layup timing or aiming
• Putback Boss – Increases shot percentage when attempting a putback after an offensive rebound
• Slithery Finisher – Improves a player’s ability to avoid contract when attacking the rim
• Tear Dropper – Improves a player’s ability to avoid contact when attacking the rim

Shooting

• Anti-Freeze – Harder to get cold and lose takeover meter progress
• Blinders – Less affected by peripheral defenders when shooting jumpers
• Catch & Shoot – Boosts the chance of hitting a three pointer immediately after a catch
• Circus Threes – Improved ability to hit pull-up and stepback 3’s
• Clutch Shooter – Increases the ability to knock down shots in clutch moments
• Corner Specialist – Gives a boost to shots taken in the corner
• Deep Threes – Dame and Curry range 3 balls
• Difficult Shots – Improves the ability to shoot difficult shots off the dribble from mid-range
• Fade Ace – Improves ability to shoot post fades
• Green Machine – Increases the bonus given for consecutive excellent releases
• Hot Shot – Increases takeover meter faster when knocking down jumpers
• Hot Zone Hunter – Boosts the shot percentage for attempts taken in a player’s favorite spots
• Ice in Veins – Improves a player’s free throw percentage during critical moments
• Rhythm Shooter – Boosts shot %’s out of size-ups as well as 1-step pull-ups
• Set Shooter – Shooting ability gets better the longer you set and wait before pulling
• Slippery Off-Ball – Strengthens the player’s ability to get open off the ball
• Sniper – Boosts the ability to hit shots when using Pro Stick aiming
• Stop & Pop – Boosts shot rating on stand-still three pointers after dribbling
• Tireless Shooter – Improves a player’s ability to make shots when fatigued
• Volume Shooter – Boosts shot percentages as shot attempts accrue throughout the game

Playmaking

• Ankle Breaker – Improves the likelihood of freezing or dropping a defender during dribble moves
• Bail Out – Increases the chances of successfully completing a pass from mid-air
• Break Starter – Improves a player’s ability to make effective outlet passes after grabbing a rebound
• Bullet Passer – Improves a player’s ability to quickly pass the ball
• Dimer – Boosts the shot percentage for open teammates on jump shots after catching a pass
• Floor General – Teammates receive an offensive attribute bonus when player is in the game
• Handles for Days – Reduces the amount of energy lost when performing dribble moves
• Needle Threader – Increases the likelihood that though passes can get by the defense
• Relay Passer – Provides a boost to shooters on a pass to assist
• Space Creator – Improves a player’s ability to create space from a defender
• Special Delivery – Boosts takeover progress for the passer and receiver off a flashy pass assist
• Stop & Go – Improves a player’s ability to start and stop with the ball
• Tight Handles – Improves a player’s ability to break down their defender
• Unpluckable – Reduces the chances of getting stripped by the defender

Defense/Rebounding

• Ankle Braces – Reduces the chances of getting crossed over
• Brick Wall – Increases effectiveness of screens and drains energy from opponents on physical contact
• Clamps – Boosts the ability to stay in front of the ball handler on the perimeter
• Clutch Defender – Boosts your defensive ratings in clutch moments
• Defensive Leader – Boosts the defensive abilities of teammates when in the game
• Heart Crusher – Decreases opponent’s Takeover meters when achieving a highlight play on defense
• Hot Stopper – Boosts Takeover meter for good defensive plays like steals, blocks, and good contests
• Interceptor – Increases chances of getting steals in passing lanes
• Off-Ball Pest – Improves a player’s ability to bump and harass the offense off the ball
• Pick Dodger – Improves a player’s ability to navigate through screens effectively on defense
• Pick Pocket – Improves a player’s ability to steal the ball from a ball handler
• Post Lockdown – Improves the defender’s ability to defend post moves and backdowns
• Tireless Defender – Reduces energy lost when exerting effort on defense
• Trapper – Makes life difficult for the offensive players when trapped

Which Badges are not coming back?

Wang also noted some of the Badges were removed because they were either redundant with other badges, didn’t fit in the game’s design, or were not liked by the 2K community. Here are those badges:

• Consistent Finisher
• Contact Finisher
• Cross-Key Scorer
• Fancy Footwork
• Fastbreak Finisher
• Deep Hooks
• Pick & Roller
• Relentless Finisher
• Showtime
• Deep Fades
• Flexible Release
• Hot Start
• Pick & Popper
• Pump Fake Maestro
• Range Extender
• Quick Draw
• Steady Shooter
• Pass Fake Maestro
• Flashy Passer
• Lob City Passer
• Lightning Reflexes
• Moving Truck.