NBA 2K23 Best Small Forward (SF) Builds (Next-Gen/Current-Gen) (2024)

There are multiple ways to customize your builds in NBA 2K23 and create your own MyPlayer as you desire.

However, creating your own SF build isn’t as easy as it sounds since it requires a lot of adjustments to the default build. Lucky for you, this guide will help you create the best Small Forward builds for use in NBA 2K23 for both next-gen and current-gen platforms.

Balanced Build
Short King Build
3PT Shot Creator Build
Inside-Out Scorer Build

Balanced small forward build (next-gen/current-gen)

This small forward build is basically an all-out attack. The weight and height for starters clearly indicate that this build is for those who like to attack relentlessly.

If steamrolling your opponents using implacable aggression seems fun to you, check our Big Man Builds.

Apart from attack, overall, this build is pretty much balanced as the defense attributes aren’t bad either. So, this build will clearly help you in both aspects of the game.

The best part about the Balanced Small Forward Build is that it’s suitable for both next-gen and current-gen, giving a chance for both console players to create a strong Small Forward build.

Body Settings

Height: 6’9”
Weight: 185 lbs
Wingspan: 7’7”
Body Shape: Built

Attributes

Finishing

Close Shot: 80
Driving Layup: 80
Driving Dunk: 86

Shooting

Mid-Range Shot: 76
Three-Point Shot: 83
Free Throw: 74

Playmaking

Pass Accuracy: 75
Ball Handle: 87
Speed With Ball: 75

Defense/Rebounding

Perimeter Defense: 86
Steal: 52

Physicals

Speed: 83
Acceleration: 81
Vertical: 80
Stamina: 90

Finishing Badges

Aerial Wizard: Gold
Fearless Finisher: Silver
Limitless Takeoff: Gold
Acrobat: Bronze

Shooting Badges

Amped: Gold
Middy Magician: Gold
Agent 3: Silver
Catch and Shoot: Gold
Claymore: Gold

Playmaking Badges

Quick First Step: Gold
Mismatch Maker: Silver
Clamp Breaker: Gold
Vice Grip: Gold
Break Starter: Bronze

Defense/Rebounding Badges

Clamps: Silver
Chase Down Artist: Gold
Challenger: Gold
Menace: Gold
Pick Dodger: Gold

Primary Takeover: Finishing Moves

Secondary Takeover: Spot-up precision

Short King SF build

This build is by far the most balanced SF build as it covers defense and attack as well. The height in this build is less but the weight backs it up.

This way you won’t lose your player’s agility as it will result in more speed and good tackles as well. With this build, you’ll also have some of the best takeovers in NBA 2K23.

3PT Shot Creator SF build (next-gen/current-gen)

This small forward build is for those players who like to shoot. Typically, height isn’t an important aspect for a Small Forward player.

Therefore, the main highlight of this build is the shooting attributes like mid-range, free throw, and 3-point shots,with some decentplaymaking shot-creatorpotential.

Body Settings

Height: 6’9”
Weight: 185 lbs
Wingspan: 7’4”
Body Shape: Solid

Attributes

Finishing

Close Shot: 76
Driving Layup: 80
Driving Dunk: 87

Shooting

Mid-Range Shot: 76
Three-Point Shot: 85
Free Throw: 84

Playmaking

Pass Accuracy: 75
Ball Handle: 87
Speed With Ball: 75

Defense/Rebounding

Inside-out scorer small forward build (next-gen/current-gen)

The Inside Out Scorer Build focuses on bringing the Small Forward to a 99 OVR with the inclusion of badge points such as: 6x Finishing Badge Points, 22x Shooting Badges, 21x Playmaking Badge Points, and lastly, 10x Defense / Rebounding Badge.

Body Settings
Height: 6’8”
Weight: 236 lbs
Wingspan: 7’5”
Body Shape: Defined

Finishing
Close Shot: 80
Driving Layup: 80
Driving Dunk: 93
Standing Dunk: 50
Post Control: 30

Shooting
Mid-Range Shot: 79
Three-Point Shot: 85
Free Throw: 65

Playmaking
Pass Accuracy: 80
Ball Handle: 87
Speed with Ball: 77

Defense/Rebounding
Interior Defense: 58
Perimeter Defense: 71
Steal: 52
Block: 27
Offensive Rebound: 70
Defensive Rebound: 71

Physicals
Speed: 82
Acceleration: 74
Strength: 90
Vertical: 82
Stamina: 94

Finishing Badges
Giant Slayer: Bronze
Pro Touch: Bronze
Rise Up: Bronze
Fearless Finisher: Silver
Masher: Bronze
Bully: Silver (Core Badge)
Posterizer: Silver

Shooting Badges
Middy Magician: Bronze
Agent 3: Silver
Green Machine: Gold
Blinders: Silver
Catch & Shoot: Gold (Core Badge)
Limitless Range: Silver

Playmaking Badges
Ankle Breaker: Hall of Fame
Hyperdrive: Silver
Bail Out: Bronze
Quick First Step: Gold
Clamp Breaker: Gold (Core Badge)
Unpluckable: Gold

Defense/Rebounding Badges
Ankle Braces: Silver
Boxout Beast: Gold
Brick Wall: Gold
Menace: Silver
Off-Ball Pest: Hall of Fame

Primary Takeover: Finishing Moves

Secondary Takeover: Limitless Range

Best badges for small forward in NBA 2K23

Badges are perhaps the best way to boost your MyPlayers performance on the court by providing you additional perks that help you gain momentum, especially during the MyCareer Mode.
Below we’ve given the best badges used for the Small Forward in NBA 2K23.

Finishing Badges
Slithery: Silver
Fearless Finisher: Bronze
Limitless Takeoff: Silver
Masher: Bronze
Fast Twitch: Bronze
Posterizer: Bronze

Shooting Badges
Middy Magician: Silver
Space Creator: Hall of Fame
Volume Shooter: Hall of Fame
Corner Specialist: Gold
Green Machine: Gold
Catch & Shoot: Gold
Limitless Range: Silver

Playmaking Badges
Clamp Breaker: Silver
Handles for Days: Bronze
Hyperdrive: Silver
Killer Combos: Silver
Mismatch Expert: Bronze
Bail Out: Bronze
Quick First Step: Silver
Unpluckable: Bronze

Defense/Rebounding Badges
Ankle Braces: Silver
Interceptor: Bronze
Work Horse: Hall of Fame
Challenger: Silver
Chase Down Artist: Gold
Anchor: Bronze
Rebound Chaser: Silver

Best animations for SF in NBA 2K23

There are a variety of animations used in NBA 2K23. However, the most challenging part is selecting the one that suits your MyPlayers perfectly.

For example, if you’re looking to do the best dribble pull-up animations, you need to look into MJ or McGrady. If you’re looking for the best jump shots in NBA 2K23, you need to get Chris Bosh.

Below we’ve arranged the best Small Forward Animations for you to choose from.

Best jumpshot animations

Jumpshot (Chris Bosh)
Height At Least 6’10
Mid-Range Shot 85+ or Three-Point Shot 85+

Best dribbling animations

Dribble (Michael Jordan)
Height Under 6’10”
Speed 75+

Signature Size-Up (Tracy McGrady)
Height Under 6’10”
Speed 85+

Size-Up Escape Package Paul George)
Ball Handle 75+

Moving Crossovers (Zach LaVine)
Ball Handle 75+

Moving Behind the Backs (Zach LaVine)
Height Under 6’10”
Ball Handle 75+

Best dunk-style animations

These flashy animations will make your dunk build look even better in NBA 2K23.

Two Foot Moving Dunks (Elite Contact Dunks Off Two)
Driving Dunk 92+
Vertical 80+

One Foot Moving Dunks (Under Leg Off One)
Driving Dunk 70+
Vertical 50+

Standing Dunks (Elite Bigman Contact Dunks)
Height At Least 6’10”
Standing Dunk 90+
Vertical 75+

Alley-Oops (Zion Williamson Alley-Oop)
Driving Dunk 92+
Vertical 80+

Best teams for small forwards in NBA 2K23

When taking your Small forward to the MyCareer mode, it is important to pick a team that will play to their strengths and make up for their weaknesses. For this reason, both the Portland Trailblazers and Minnesota Timberwolves are the best teams to choose.

The Portland Trailblazers feature a solid lineup, with their Point Guard having a 95 rating and all other players being 80+ minus the Small Forward, Matisse Thybulle which gives you a perfect role to fill.

The Minnesota Timberwolves work similarly, although their Point Guard isn’t as good as the one found on the Trailblazers. Both these teams should work to elevate your role in NBA 2K23