NBA 2K23 shipped on 9 September 2022, came off sale on 30 November 2024, and lost its online servers on 31 December 2024. MyCAREER and MyTEAM went dark with those servers; 2K's sunset notice lists Play Now, MyNBA, and The W as what still runs for owners who already have it installed. The PC build is the current-gen version, so its neighborhood was the G.O.A.T. Boat rather than the PlayStation 5 City, and this page treats every online mode as dead rather than pretending otherwise.
Choosing the right role shapes your entire experience. This guide breaks down every option: what they're good at, what they struggle with, and which one matches your playstyle. For optimized builds with full gear sets, see our builds guide.
Quick Comparison
| Role | Tier | Playstyle | Best Equipment | Beginner Friendly? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Playmaking guard | A | Balanced | Signature jump shot | Yes |
| Three-and-D wing | A | Balanced | Pro Stick shot aiming | Yes |
| Slashing wing | A | Balanced | Adrenaline sprint launch | Yes |
| Stretch big | A | Balanced | Post fade | Yes |
| Paint-protecting center | A | Balanced | Pull-up mid-range | Yes |
New player? Start with Three-and-D wing. See our beginner's guide for why.
Playmaking guard
Playmaking guard is a strong option in NBA 2K23.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Balanced approach |
| Best Equipment | Signature jump shot |
| Stat Priority | Balanced stats |
| Core Gear | Best available |
| Key Mechanic | Adrenaline Boosts |
Strengths
- Highest overall performance across all content types
- Solid all-around choice
- Pairs well with Signature jump shot
Weaknesses
- Popular choice, competition for resources
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
Recommended Progression
- Start in Play Now to learn Playmaking guard-specific mechanics
- Focus on Adrenaline Boosts. It's this role's primary system
- Prioritize Signature jump shot as your first major upgrade
- See our full Playmaking guard build guide for the optimal gear progression
Three-and-D wing
Three-and-D wing is a strong option in NBA 2K23.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Balanced approach |
| Best Equipment | Pro Stick shot aiming |
| Stat Priority | Balanced stats |
| Core Gear | Best available |
| Key Mechanic | Signature jump shot attributes |
Strengths
- Most versatile, adapts to any situation
- Solid all-around choice
- Pairs well with Pro Stick shot aiming
Weaknesses
- Lower peak damage than S-tier options
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
Recommended Progression
- Start in Play Now to learn Three-and-D wing-specific mechanics
- Focus on Signature jump shot attributes. It's this role's primary system
- Prioritize Pro Stick shot aiming as your first major upgrade
- See our full Three-and-D wing build guide for the optimal gear progression
Slashing wing
Slashing wing is a strong option in NBA 2K23.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Balanced approach |
| Best Equipment | Adrenaline sprint launch |
| Stat Priority | Balanced stats |
| Core Gear | Best available |
| Key Mechanic | Badge points and badge levels |
Strengths
- Best survivability for learning hard content
- Solid all-around choice
- Pairs well with Adrenaline sprint launch
Weaknesses
- Slower progression speed
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
Recommended Progression
- Start in Play Now to learn Slashing wing-specific mechanics
- Focus on Badge points and badge levels. It's this role's primary system
- Prioritize Adrenaline sprint launch as your first major upgrade
- See our full Slashing wing build guide for the optimal gear progression
Stretch big
Stretch big is a strong option in NBA 2K23.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Balanced approach |
| Best Equipment | Post fade |
| Stat Priority | Balanced stats |
| Core Gear | Best available |
| Key Mechanic | Jordan Challenge scenarios |
Strengths
- Excellent in group and cooperative content
- Solid all-around choice
- Pairs well with Post fade
Weaknesses
- Less effective solo
- Requires deep game knowledge to use effectively
Recommended Progression
- Start in Play Now to learn Stretch big-specific mechanics
- Focus on Jordan Challenge scenarios. It's this role's primary system
- Prioritize Post fade as your first major upgrade
- See our full Stretch big build guide for the optimal gear progression
Paint-protecting center
Paint-protecting center is a strong option in NBA 2K23.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Balanced approach |
| Best Equipment | Pull-up mid-range |
| Stat Priority | Balanced stats |
| Core Gear | Best available |
| Key Mechanic | Offline-only mode list after the 2024 sunset |
Strengths
- Highest skill ceiling with unique mechanics
- Solid all-around choice
- Pairs well with Pull-up mid-range
Weaknesses
- Steep learning curve, punishing mistakes
- Requires deep game knowledge to use effectively
Recommended Progression
- Start in Play Now to learn Paint-protecting center-specific mechanics
- Focus on Offline-only mode list after the 2024 sunset. It's this role's primary system
- Prioritize Pull-up mid-range as your first major upgrade
- See our full Paint-protecting center build guide for the optimal gear progression
Which Role Should You Pick?
For Beginners
Three-and-D wing is the clear winner. It's forgiving, teaches core mechanics, and remains competitive into endgame. Follow our beginner's guide for the best first-session experience.
For Maximum Performance
Playmaking guard is the top pick once you understand the game's mechanics. Pair it with Signature jump shot for the strongest overall setup.
For a Challenge
Paint-protecting center offers the highest skill ceiling. It's punishing when misplayed but incredibly rewarding when mastered. Only recommended after you've completed the game with another role.
For Group Play
Stretch big shines in cooperative content with utility and team support capabilities.
More NBA 2K23 Guides
- NBA 2K23 NBA 2K23 Overview
- NBA 2K23 Best Builds
- NBA 2K23 Tier List
- NBA 2K23 Walkthrough
- NBA 2K23 Beginner's Guide
- NBA 2K23 Tips & Tricks
- NBA 2K23 Weapons Guide
- NBA 2K23 Combat Guide
- NBA 2K23 Boss Guide
- NBA 2K23 Maps & Locations
- NBA 2K23 Crafting Guide
Similar Games
If you enjoy NBA 2K23, check out these related guides:
- Beat the Champions Classes Guide: sports game with similar mechanics
- Rocket League Classes Guide: sports game with similar mechanics
- Football Manager 2024 Classes Guide: sports game with similar mechanics
