NBA 2K23: Best Defensive Badges

Whether you’re playing NBA 2K23 MyCAREER or MyTEAM, player badges are important to know about and generate a significant impact towards the success you’ll have in-game.

There’s a lot of different types of badges in NBA 2K23. From finishing badges, to playmaking, to shooting and more, there’s plenty to soak in and it can be a lot to get a feel for as you review which ones suit your player best.

If you don’t know where to begin, we’re here to help you out by going over each category of badges available in NBA 2K23, with the best defensive and rebounding badges up next on our list. NBA 2K23 combines their defensive and rebounding badges into one category, so we’re going to do the same as well.

Both defense and rebounding are important skills to master in NBA 2K23. And knowing which defensive and rebounding badges will grant you the best chance to lock up opponents and crash the glass with authority, is crucial.

Let’s get right to it.

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NBA 2K23: Best Defensive Badges

In this feature, we’re going to breakdown all of the defensive and rebounding badges and determine which are the best to have in NBA 2K23. But to do so, we’re going to separate each of the badges into three levels. Here’s our list:

• Level 1: Best defensive badges to use that will provide an impact no matter the position
• Level 2: Badges that have more of a situational purpose but are still effective to equip
• Level 3: Badges that are mainly situational or designed for a specific position or role

On that note, let’s have a look at which defensive badges made which tier and why.

NBA 2K23 Defensive Badges: Level 1

1. Clamps:

Although Clamps is more geared towards perimeter defending, it’s one of the most effective badges regardless and will come in handy throughout the entirety of a game. Playing man and matching up one-on-one with your opponent is so common in NBA 2K23, and having Clamps will help you lockup your opponent in a matter of seconds. You can’t be taller than 6’9″ to earn the Clamps badge.

2. Menace:

Along with Clamps, Menace is right up there as one of the best defensive badges in NBA 2K23. Upon staying in front of your opponent and performing good defense, your opponents offensive attributes will decrease in the process. So whether your opponent forces a shot or has to pick up their dribble, Menace is quite a special defensive badge. Fans can’t make their players any taller than 6’10” if they choose to use Menace.

3. Challenger:

In NBA 2K23, contesting shots is the name of the game if you’re looking to deliver strong defense, and the new Challenger badge will make your player excel at that. Though this is designed more for perimeter defenders, the Challenger badge can be applied both inside and out and doesn’t come with any height restrictions.

4. Pogo Stick:

Being able to bounce up and down for rebounds or contested shots, is really clutch to have throughout the course of the game. Your timing won’t be always perfect when defending your opponents, and being able to quickly jump again to contest a shot or get the ball on a rebound, is super helpful. It remains to be one of the most under-appreciated badges in NBA 2K23.

5. Glove:

The Glove badge is new in NBA 2K23 and was inspired by the legendary Gary Payton. No matter the ball handler, Glove increases your likelihood of being able to steal passes from your opponents. Whether you’re on the perimeter or the interior, Glove is effective at anytime and doesn’t come with height restrictions.

NBA 2K23 Defensive Badges: Level 2

1. Off-Ball Pest:

The Off-Ball Pest badge is more for perimeter defenders but does not come with any height limitations. Resembling quite literally the name of the badge, Off-Ball Pest will make it much more challenging for your opponent to get open or receive a pass. You won’t get your ankles broken as often and can stay step-for-step with your opponent at all times.

2. Interceptor:

This badge is quite helpful because of your increased ability to become more intrusive in passing lanes and out in transition. These situations pop into games all the time and the Interceptor badge does wonders when picking off passes and securing easy buckets off of those turnovers.

3. Brick Wall:

Brick Wall is mainly meant to be used by interior defenders, but does help for most positions. Your ability to drain defenders energy through physical contact and deliver better screens, is great to have and can be used effectively throughout the course of the game. To use this badge, you cannot be shorter than 6’5″.

4. Pick Dodger:

Because you rarely slide through a pick as a big man, this badge is really geared for perimeter defenders. That said, it doesn’t come with any height restrictions and still makes for a great badge to have. If maxed out to the Hall Of Fame level, fans can blow through picks with ease.

5. Work Horse:

Along with Glove, Work Horse is another new badge that allows you to channel your inner Pat Beverly and is clutch to have. You want to win loose balls? This is how you will master the art. The only downside is just how many loose balls do you really come across each game… The answer, not that many.

READ MORE: Best Finishing Badges in NBA 2K23

NBA 2K23 Defensive Badges: Level 3

1. Anchor:

If you’re looking to be one of the best shot blockers in the game, the new Anchor badge is for you. But if not, it really doesn’t serve any other purpose. It’s great for blocking shots and protecting the rim, but does come with a minimum height restriction of 6’4″ and isn’t useful to have on the perimeter.

2. Ankle Braces:

Unless you log in a ton of online play and you come across players that love to use their handles often, Ankle Braces isn’t that crucial to have. And even in offline games, won’t make that much of a difference because the CPU will rarely break ankles (if ever). To earn this badge, you can be no taller than 6’11”.

3. Boxout Beast:

This new badge is meant for rebounding and that’s it. So unless you’re a guard that likes to rebound a lot, this badge is mainly designed for big men in the paint. That said, it doesn’t come with any height restrictions and allows you to box out some of the biggest rebounders in the game, no matter your size.

4. Chase Down Artist:

Chase Down Artist is a great badge that doesn’t come with any height restrictions. But it’s meant to help with your blocking and that’s it. It’s not exactly that easy to get chase down blocks with a 6’2″ guard on a lumbering 6’7″ forward. But if you’re a big man looking to boost your speed and leaping abilities when blocking on the run, this badge is just for you.

5. Post Lockdown:

Simply put, this is pretty much what it sounds like. This badge grants you boosts when defending opponents in the post and will improve your chances of stripping the ball from them in the process. Though there’s no height restriction, it’s just very unlikely you’ll find yourself in these situations often as a guard or even as a small forward.

6. Rebound Chaser:

This is a really niche rebounding badge that is helpful for big men but doesn’t do much for the rest of the positions. In short, it improves your ability to track down rebounds from further distances.

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