NBA 2K25 Beginner’s Guide: Top Tips and Tricks to Master the Game & Boost Your Skills

by Fernando Diaz / NBA 2K25 Tips & Tutorials, NBA 2K25 / 04 Sep 2024

So whether you’re a newbie or a seasoned vet slamming the digital hardwood in NBA 2K for a while, NBA 2K25’s fresh stuff might throw you for a loop if you’re not prepped. The point of this guide is to make sure you’re not just prepped, but also looking like a star out there; below are some pointers to help you kick off right:

Gatorade Workouts Are a Must

Listen up, you need to crush those Gatorade workouts, no excuses. This is a must if you want to hang on the court.

In 2K25 you’ve got to put in the effort for that top-notch stamina.

Every drill you finish adds two points to your stamina so skipping means you’re stuck at 85. To hit that perfect 99 stamina, head to the gym and smash those exercises.

The treadmill and box jumps rank among the simplest exercises:

To use the treadmill, press the right and left triggers together.

For box jumps, click up and down.

The ropes also offer an easy workout—make a chopping motion and click the button when prompted.

Your performance quality doesn’t matter; you’ll still make progress.

Remember, if you want to alter your body type—say bulking up as a center—you need to drink Gatorade and complete those drills.

Choosing Your Affiliation: Elite or Rise?

When you first jump into the game, you’ve got to choose an affiliation: Elite or Rise. Don’t worry too much about this choice because; to be honest it doesn’t have a big impact…

Elite has that pirate theme going—think ships and buried treasure vibes.

Rise, on the flip side, has a futuristic robot feel. I’m sticking with Rise because it has a cleaner look, but the choice is yours.

The rewards stay the same regardless of which side you pick so just go with what you like.

Use Protuned Builds to Succeed

If you’re having trouble deciding on a build, Protuned Builds has your back. These are ready-made builds that 2K created, and they’re good.

You can pick one that matches how you like to play, and it even includes special signature moves if you don’t change it yourself.

These builds are great for new players because someone’s already done the hard work. You’ll find options like ‘Pivot Playmaker’ or ‘Court Extender’—each with its own special skills.

If you don’t change anything during setup, you’ll keep the name and all the benefits.

If you want to play like an NBA star, they’ve even got choices for Giannis, LeBron, KD, and others.

Squad Finder: Play with Others, Not Alone

Bored of playing alone? 2K25 introduces Squad Finder, a new feature that helps you connect with teammates who match your playstyle.

Whether you prefer the park, Rec, or other game modes, you can select teammates based on their approach—laid-back, fundamentals-focused, or ‘ready to compete’ for those seeking a challenge.

You also have the option to choose players who use mics or not, and pick teammates with similar overall ratings to avoid teaming up with a 60 overall when you’re nearing 90.

Just hit ‘Find Squad’, and the game will display potential teammates for you. It’s a gamechanger if you don’t have a regular group to play with…

Learn the Basics in MyCourt

If you’re new to 2K or need to brush up, go to your MyCourt. This space lets you practice and get to know the game.

Your MyCourt has a ‘Learn 2K’ section, which serves as a guide for every aspect of the game.

You can begin with basic tutorials, complex moves, or even mini-games to boost your abilities. This area suits beginners who aren’t sure what to do yet.

Just do what it says, and you’ll play like a pro soon.

Quests Help You Earn VC

Want to build up VC (Virtual Currency) and speed up your leveling? Quests are the way to go.

Check out the Quest section, and you’ll see a bunch of challenges that give you VC, gear, and other stuff.

You can always find something to do for extra rewards, whether it’s 2v2 games, affiliation battles, or side quests.

Some quests give you cool items like a Jason Tatum jersey or a medallion.

Others help you unlock badges such as the Rebirth badge, which allows you to create a new MyPlayer without losing your progress.

Don’t ignore these quests—they’re easy money and help you advance quicker.

Casual Court: A Safe Space for Beginners

Are you new to the game and not ready to take on the serious players? Give the Casual Court a try.

This area is just for laid-back gamers—no intense competitors allowed. You’ll compete against bots and other players who are just here to enjoy themselves.

When you hit a certain skill level, you won’t be able to play on the Casual Court anymore so make the most of it while you can; it’s a good way to get used to the game without feeling stressed.

Spin the Daily Wheel to Get Free Rewards

Remember to spin the daily wheel. It’s a simple way to grab free items like VC, gear, or other prizes…

You can’t predict what you’ll receive, but it’s always beneficial.

You’ll find the wheel in the park, and it’s something you should do each day to get the most rewards.

Notice the Little Things

As you wander through the park, you’ll spot small interactive areas marked with an “i”.

These info points tell you all you need to know about various game features.

You’ll find them scattered around so stay alert and learn as you explore.

Fernando Diaz

Fernando is doing what he always did, sharing his honest opinions about games whenever he can. The difference is now he is writing and not talking about it.
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