Oftentimes, defense is an underrated quality of a player in NBA 2K25, but the best athletes at blocking shots will keep their rivals from scoring any points. Good defensive players will steal es, snatch rebounds, and disrupt enemy formations to force desperate shots. You'll want at least a couple of athletes on your squad who can shake your opponent's confidence with high-pressure defense.

Although there are many new changes to NBA 2K25 regarding the physics that define defense, every player still has an Overall Rating determined by several stats. Defending is one stat category with several subsections that define an athlete's abilities. For example, a player with high Defending could also have high Perception, making them adept at stealing es.

10 Dillon Brooks (Houston Rockets)

Stay Defending For A Long Time

Dillon Brooks is a strong defender who specializes in guarding the top three-point shooters on an opposing team. With a Perimeter Defense score of 91, Brooks can lock down even some of the most accurate athletes your team goes up against. Although Brooks may not be the best at rebounding the ball, he has a surprisingly good three-point shot of his own that he can use if he gets open.

Another reason why Brooks is a solid defensive player in the league is his Athleticism. Brooks has an incredible 88 Stamina Rating, meaning that he can play at top speed and intensity for far longer than some other players. Use this to keep Brooks against top opposing scores for longer, and watch your rivals get tired while Brooks continues to keep up the pressure.

9 OG Anunoby (New York Knicks)

Lock Down The Outside

Similar to Brooks, OG Anunoby makes for an excellent defender from his 90 Perimeter Defense stat, but this is not his only talent. Like some of the best players in NBA 2K25, Anunoby can score from the outside himself, creating opportunities as a well-rounded player. With high Athleticism as well, you'll always have a weapon on the court with this athlete active.

Many players, in addition to general stats, have Badges that grant them ive buffs alongside their base abilities. Bronze, Silver, and Gold badges are the most common, but some players can have even better ones in their arsenal.

Anunoby is consistent on defense as well, using high Help Defense IQ and Perception to constantly disrupt offensive movements. If you are looking to see what Defending subsections define an athlete, you can always check these scores on a specific player:

• Interior Defense
• Perimeter Defense
• Steal
• Block
• Lateral Quickness
• Help Defense IQ
• Perception
• Defensive Consistency

Other categories under Athleticism are also useful to know, as well as Rebounding for some of the greatest defensive talents in the league.

8 Jusuf Nurkic (Phoenix Suns)

Rebound Every Missed Shot

While it may not seem like Jusuf Nurkic is the best defender you could have, keep in mind that Rebounding potential can be an integral part of your defense. Getting a clutch rebound changes possession back to your team, allowing you to score or stop a rival's momentum. Nurkic is the perfect player for this, as his 7'0" height gives him a 93 Defensive Rebounding stat that's hard to compete with.

For those looking to improve their defense with superior Rebounding skills, check out the above guide from YouTube creator LakerFan to learn how to best use the best defense players in the league to snatch back possession!

7 Marcus Smart (Memphis Grizzlies)

Steal The Ball From Under Your Rival's Nose

Marcus Smart is a playmaker through and through, with an insane 96 stat in Steal under the Defending category. This trait makes Smart a weapon on your squad who can constantly force a sudden turnover for a quick score. With 93 Agility, Smart has the speed capable of making your opponent second-guess their decisions often as they try to play around the possibility of a stolen ball.

Not every defensive player can score as often as Smart can, as he is one of the few athletes with above-average Inside Scoring. Going further into this trait, Smart has a surprising 95 stat in Close Shot, meaning it is hard for him to miss a shot when under the rim. Smart can quickly cross the court to reach a spot where nearly all his steals will amount to points after a fast bucket.

6 Jaren Jackson Jr. (Memphis Grizzlies)

Best Defense Is Also A Good Offense

One of Marcus Smart's teammates, Jaren Jackson Jr., is also an excellent defensive player, but maybe not for the reasons you might expect. Jackson Jr. has solid Defending but excels at Scoring everywhere on the court once his defense has stopped. This makes him a threat from anywhere, capable of both shutting down rival players and scoring points for your team.

The Interior Defense stat of 90 also puts Jackson Jr. far beyond other defensive athletes in the game. With the introduction of NBA 2K25's new shot meter, many players will have a harder time scoring in general within this entry in the series. When combined with Jackson Jr.'s stalwart defense, it'll be hard for many rivals to get any clear shots with even their best shooters.

5 Bam Adebayo (Miami Heat)

Versatility Leads To Victory

Bam Adebayo doesn't have a bad stat, making him a rare athlete who can be considered a jack-of-all-trades. This versatility means that Adebayo can score, defend, rebound, and keep up with anyone you set him to guard during a game of NBA 2K25. As you can see in the above video by YouTube creator Exclusive Builds, Adebayo's traits make him a near-perfect Center to have on your team.

However, another reason Adebyao shines is due to his 95 Defensive Consistency and 94 Help Defense IQ. Even when you aren't controlling him, Adebayo knows how to back up teammates to truly shut down rival players who are trying to get an open shot or . This can lead to some crucial mistakes made by your opponent, forced in part by Adebayo's efforts.

4 Jrue Holiday (Boston Celtics)

Stop Three-Point Shots At All Times

Allowing an enemy team to make three-pointers consistently can spell doom for your team, especially if you don't have a defender like Jrue Holiday on your squad. This player excels at Perimeter Defense with a 95 in that stat, but it's his extra speed that makes this score potent. The 96 Lateral Quickness score Holiday also has allows him to race across the perimeter at breakneck speeds to disrupt a long-range shot.

When combined with a 96 Agility and 93 Perception, Holiday can move wherever you need him most during a game. The best strategy to use when this player is on your team is to set him up against the most talented three-point shooting player aligned with your opponent, such as Stephen Curry.

3 Victor Wembanyama (San Antonio Spurs)

Block Nearly Every Shot

Victor Wembanyama has the highest Block stat within the Defending category in the league, allowing him to stop almost any shot made against him. With 95 Defense Consistency and 95 Help Defense IQ, Wembanyama knows how to get to the right place at the right time. 95 Interior Defense also allows this athlete to safeguard spots on the court where your rivals could quickly get an easy shot.

Any athlete you recruit to your team who is 6'10" or taller will automatically have higher Rebounding than most, giving them a good prerequisite for defensive plays.

Wembanyama's Block is 99, but his Defensive Rebound is 92 as well, giving him the means to change possession easily from shots he disrupts. The 94 Stamina also seen on this athlete prevents them from enforcing defensive situations multiple times in NBA 2K25. An unexpected 98 Hands stat will prevent Wembanyama from losing the ball often in chaotic scenarios when he blocks and rebounds the ball.

2 Anthony Davis (Los Angeles Lakers)

Relentless Defense That Never Gets Tired

Very few defensive players have the same level of Athleticism as Anthony Davis, whose pure endurance creates a relentless force against a rival team. With 97 Stamina and 98 Hustle, Davis will chase down and guard enemy players without stopping. Incredible Inside Scoring makes Davis a strong offensive athlete as well, giving you a weapon on the court at all times.

Any of the stats you discover for top players in the game can be translated into a custom character you make for NBA 2K25's MyCareer mode as a useful build for a season of games.

1 Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee Bucks)

Destroy And Disrupt Offensive Plans

Giannis Antetokounmpo is perhaps the best defender in NBA 2K25 due to his Athleticism in combination with his Defending stats. With a 95 Defensive Consistency, Antetokounmpo sures most athletes in all subcategories of the Defending category. Although he may not have the highest Block, Perception, or Steal compared to other players, nearly every one of these scores is 85 or higher.

Every single Athleticism subcategory stat is 85 or higher as well, making Antetokounmpo a monster who never relents on defense. As you can see in the above video by YouTube creator Dignify2K, this athlete uses these stats to force plays to happen. Those looking for the best defense players in NBA 2K25 should consider using Antetokounmpo solely for how his Playmaking constantly makes victory a possibility.

Source: LakerFan/YouTube, Exclusive Builds/YouTube, Dignify2K/YouTube