Which player had the highest overall rating in NBA 2K23 at launch?

Giannis Antetokounmpo had the highest overall rating in NBA 2K23 at launch, receiving a 97 overall. He stood alone at the top of the initial ratings list, ahead of several stars rated 96.

The players immediately behind him included Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, LeBron James, Nikola Jokić, and Joel Embiid. Their 96 ratings made the launch leaderboard unusually crowded, but none matched Giannis’s starting overall rating.

This answer is time-sensitive because NBA 2K ratings can change through roster updates. A later update may raise or lower players, and a player can eventually tie or surpass the launch leader. The wording “at launch” is therefore essential: it refers to the ratings released for the game’s initial launch period, not necessarily the final ratings after the season progressed.

NBA 2K23 was released in 2022 and used the ratings system to represent players’ expected performance in the new season. Giannis’s 97 reflected his status as the Milwaukee Bucks’ two-way superstar and one of the league’s most dominant players.