It might be tempting to make your NBA 2K26 center build focus on defense and net shots, playing to the center's strength as the team's last line of defense. But the best centers are the ones that can do a bit of everything. Granted, it'll take some cap breakers and a lot of grinding to have enough points to round off every edge, but there are other builds you can put to good use as well.
Below, we break down the best center builds in NBA 2K26.
NBA 2K26 center builds
This year, Visual Concepts' selection of pre-made builds from the in-game template is much stronger than usual, and that goes for every position, including the center. One of our favorites is this Nikola Jokic build with its high rebound potential.
Finishing Shooting Playmaking Rebounding Defense Physicals
Close Shot: 92 Mid-Range Shot: 90 Pass Accuracy: 92 Offensive Rebound: 73 Interior Defense: 82 Speed: 60
Driving Dunk: 73 Three-Point Shot: 83 Ball Handle: 70 Defensive Rebound: 96 Perimeter Defense: 32 Agility: 47
Driving Layup: 80 Free Throw: 70 Speed with Ball: 50 Steal: 60 Strength: 86
Standing Dunk: 85 Block: 56 Vertical: 65
Post Control: 90
You can also opt for something a bit more rim-focused with this build, which gives you much higher post and close shot potential.
Finishing Shooting Playmaking Rebounding Defense Physicals
Close Shot: 94 Mid-Range Shot: 65 Pass Accuracy: 78 Offensive Rebound: 94 Interior Defense: 84 Speed: 51
Driving Dunk: 65 Three-Point Shot: 25 Ball Handle: 45 Defensive Rebound: 85 Perimeter Defense: 34 Agility: 39
Driving Layup: 70 Free Throw: 70 Speed with Ball: 25 Steal: 39 Strength: 86
Standing Dunk: 85 Block: 84 Vertical: 66
Post Control: 95
We also experimented with this all-rounder build from Reddit user PayDBoardMan. It's very good, but also very expensive in terms of how many cap breakers it'd take to hit those numbers. It'll take a fair bit of grinding, so don't expect to put this one together right out of the gate.
Finishing Shooting Playmaking Rebounding Defense Physicals
Close Shot: 77 Mid-Range Shot: 82 Pass Accuracy: 93 Offensive Rebound: 85 Interior Defense: 89 Speed: 69
Driving Dunk: 75 Three-Point Shot: 90 Ball Handle: 71 Defensive Rebound: 92 Perimeter Defense: 62 Agility: 57
Driving Layup: 80 Free Throw: 89 Speed with Ball: 55 Steal: 60 Strength: 72
Standing Dunk: 90 Block: 93 Vertical: 83
Post Control: 27
For more help in NBA 2K26, check out our up-to-date list of locker codes and mobile locker codes and, if you're just getting started, tips for how to dunk like a pro.