2K Games is gearing up for the highly anticipated release of NBA 2K26, set to launch on September 5, 2025, for various platforms including PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Nintendo. Enthusiasts eager to get an early jump on the game can secure 7-day early access by preordering the Superstar or Leave No Doubt editions. Ahead of the full reveal of the top 100 player ratings, which will be unveiled between August 16 and August 21, 2K Games has begun to tease specific 'Specialist Ratings' and overall rankings for both NBA and WNBA stars.

The initial wave of specialist ratings focused on the game's elite shooters. In the three-point category, Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry predictably leads the pack with an almost perfect rating of 99, a testament to his status as a four-time NBA champion and two-time MVP. He is followed by Houston Rockets superstar Kevin Durant at 91, and Dallas Mavericks SG Klay Thompson, who secures third place with a rating of 89. Other notable three-point shooters include Desmond Bane (Orlando Magic) and Isaiah Joe (Oklahoma City Thunder) both at 88, and Zach LaVine (Sacramento Kings), Grayson Allen (Phoenix Suns), Luke Kennard (Atlanta Hawks), Sam Hauser (Boston Celtics), and Anthony Edwards (Minnesota Timberwolves) all tied at 87.

For mid-range shooting, the ratings are closely contested, ranging from 96 to 98. Denver Nuggets' seven-time NBA All-Star Nikola Jokic shares the top spot with Dallas Mavericks point guard Kyrie Irving, both boasting a 98 rating. A five-way tie for 97 includes Kevin Durant, Devin Booker (Phoenix Suns), Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Oklahoma City Thunder), Andrew Nembhard (Indiana Pacers), and Stephen Curry. Rounding out the top 10 mid-range shooters are DeMar DeRozan (Sacramento Kings), Miles McBride (New York Knicks), and Khris Middleton (Washington Wizards), each rated 96.

The overall top NBA player ratings have also started to emerge, with Denver Nuggets superstar Nikola Jokic securing the coveted No. 1 spot with a 98 OVR. He shares this top overall rating with Oklahoma City Thunder's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who also features as the game's cover star. Milwaukee Bucks power forward Giannis Antetokounmpo rounds out the top three with an OVR of 97. The top 20 overall rated players at launch include Luka Doncic (Los Angeles Lakers) and Anthony Edwards (Minnesota Timberwolves) at 95 OVR, followed by Stephen Curry (Golden State Warriors), LeBron James (Los Angeles Lakers), Jayson Tatum (Boston Celtics), and Victor Wembanyama (San Antonio Spurs) all at 94 OVR. Players like Kevin Durant (Houston Rockets), Donovan Mitchell (Cleveland Cavaliers), Anthony Davis (Dallas Mavericks), Jalen Brunson (New York Knicks), and Tyrese Haliburton (Indiana Pacers) are rated 93 OVR. The list continues with Kawhi Leonard (LA Clippers), Cade Cunningham (Detroit Pistons), Joel Embiid (Philadelphia 76ers), and Karl-Anthony Towns (New York Knicks) at 92 OVR, and Ja Morant (Memphis Grizzlies) and Devin Booker (Phoenix Suns) at 91 OVR. The complete top 100 list will be available on the NBA 2K26 Ratings website.

Beyond the NBA, WNBA athletes are significantly represented in NBA 2K26, with 2K Games revealing the league's ten highest-rated players. Minnesota Lynx power forward Napheesa Collier leads the WNBA rankings with an impressive 98 OVR. Las Vegas Aces center A'ja Wilson and New York Liberty power forward Breanna Stewart both follow closely with 97 OVR. Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark, a highly anticipated rookie, claims the No. 4 spot with a 96 OVR. Other top WNBA players include Alyssa Thomas (Phoenix Mercury) at 95 OVR, Sabrina Ionescu (New York Liberty) at 93 OVR, and a trio of players at 92 OVR: Nneka Ogwumike (Seattle Storm), Satou Sabally (Phoenix Mercury), and Jonquel Jones (New York Liberty). NBA 2K26 cover star Angel Reese (Chicago Sky) concludes the top ten list with a 90 OVR after her notable rookie season.

In a significant update, 2K also announced that WNBA players will now be available in all MyTEAM modes in NBA 2K26, allowing players to create diverse, mixed squads. This feature is part of broader enhancements to MyTEAM, which will also introduce brand-new Game Changer cards, the Breakout: Gauntlet game mode, and 5v5 co-op functionality with All-Star Team-Ups, promising a richer and more versatile gameplay experience.