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 difficultyBackdown Punisher – Increases the chances of a player successfully backing down their opponentDream Shake – Raises the chances that a defender bites when doing fakes in the postDropstepper – Improves a player’s ability to effectively use dropsteps in the pastFearless Finisher – Boosts contact layups and decreases fatigueGiant Slayer – Heightens the effectiveness of layups over taller defendersHeat Seeker – Boosts takeover progress on inside shotsHighlight Film – Boosts teammate takeover progress on flashy dunksHook Specialist – Boosts hook shot abilityLob City Finisher – Improves the chances of completing a successful alley-oop dunk/layupPost Spin Technician – Improves the ability of a post spin or drive to work effectivelyPosterizer – Improves the likelihood of posterizing your opponentPro Touch – Gives an additional boost for having good layup timing or aimingPutback Boss – Increases shot percentage when attempting a putback after an offensive reboundSlithery Finisher – Improves a player’s ability to avoid contract when attacking the rimTear Dropper – Improves a player’s ability to avoid contact when attacking the rim

Shooting

  • Anti-Freeze – Harder to get cold and lose takeover meter progressBlinders – Less affected by peripheral defenders when shooting jumpersCatch & Shoot – Boosts the chance of hitting a three pointer immediately after a catchCircus Threes – Improved ability to hit pull-up and stepback 3’sClutch Shooter – Increases the ability to knock down shots in clutch momentsCorner Specialist – Gives a boost to shots taken in the cornerDeep Threes – Dame and Curry range 3 ballsDifficult Shots – Improves the ability to shoot difficult shots off the dribble from mid-rangeFade Ace – Improves ability to shoot post fadesGreen Machine – Increases the bonus given for consecutive excellent releasesHot Shot – Increases takeover meter faster when knocking down jumpersHot Zone Hunter – Boosts the shot percentage for attempts taken in a player’s favorite spotsIce in Veins – Improves a player’s free throw percentage during critical momentsRhythm Shooter – Boosts shot %’s out of size-ups as well as 1-step pull-upsSet Shooter – Shooting ability gets better the longer you set and wait before pullingSlippery Off-Ball – Strengthens the player’s ability to get open off the ballSniper – Boosts the ability to hit shots when using Pro Stick aimingStop & Pop – Boosts shot rating on stand-still three pointers after dribblingTireless Shooter – Improves a player’s ability to make shots when fatiguedVolume 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 movesBail Out – Increases the chances of successfully completing a pass from mid-airBreak Starter – Improves a player’s ability to make effective outlet passes after grabbing a reboundBullet Passer – Improves a player’s ability to quickly pass the ballDimer – Boosts the shot percentage for open teammates on jump shots after catching a passFloor General – Teammates receive an offensive attribute bonus when player is in the gameHandles for Days – Reduces the amount of energy lost when performing dribble movesNeedle Threader – Increases the likelihood that though passes can get by the defenseRelay Passer – Provides a boost to shooters on a pass to assistSpace Creator – Improves a player’s ability to create space from a defenderSpecial Delivery – Boosts takeover progress for the passer and receiver off a flashy pass assistStop & Go – Improves a player’s ability to start and stop with the ballTight Handles – Improves a player’s ability to break down their defenderUnpluckable – Reduces the chances of getting stripped by the defender

Defense/Rebounding

  • Ankle Braces – Reduces the chances of getting crossed overBrick Wall – Increases effectiveness of screens and drains energy from opponents on physical contactClamps – Boosts the ability to stay in front of the ball handler on the perimeterClutch Defender – Boosts your defensive ratings in clutch momentsDefensive Leader – Boosts the defensive abilities of teammates when in the gameHeart Crusher – Decreases opponent’s Takeover meters when achieving a highlight play on defenseHot Stopper – Boosts Takeover meter for good defensive plays like steals, blocks, and good contestsInterceptor – Increases chances of getting steals in passing lanesOff-Ball Pest – Improves a player’s ability to bump and harass the offense off the ballPick Dodger – Improves a player’s ability to navigate through screens effectively on defensePick Pocket – Improves a player’s ability to steal the ball from a ball handlerPost Lockdown – Improves the defender’s ability to defend post moves and backdownsTireless Defender – Reduces energy lost when exerting effort on defenseTrapper – 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 FinisherContact FinisherCross-Key ScorerFancy FootworkFastbreak FinisherDeep HooksPick & RollerRelentless FinisherShowtimeDeep FadesFlexible ReleaseHot StartPick & PopperPump Fake MaestroRange ExtenderQuick DrawSteady ShooterPass Fake MaestroFlashy PasserLob City PasserLightning ReflexesMoving Truck.