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The center continues to be one of the most pivotal positions in NBA 2K22. Many gamers opt to use a big man that can dominate the post. Meanwhile, others opt for the more flexible option of playing a small-ball big at the five-position.
Choosing the best center build is crucial to ensuring that your team has enough rebounding and paint presence to compete. So, here are the best player builds for centers in NBA 2K22.
Choosing the best center (C) builds in NBA 2K22
The role for centers has changed in NBA 2K22. They were once the most dominant players on the court, but they have been significantly toned down this year.
To establish the best center builds, we have leaned heavily towards centers that can space the floor on offense and defense. Each build listed has the majority of the ratings be more than 80 overall and has the ability to upgrade to multiple badges.
1. Interior Finisher

- Top Attributes: 99 Close Shot, 99 Standing Dunk, 99 Post Control
- Top Secondary Attributes: 99 Block, 99 Stamina, 92 Pass Accuracy
- Height, Weight, and Wingspan: 7’0’‘, 215lbs, Maximum Wingspan
- Takeover Badge: Slasher
The Interior Finisher build is available to both forwards and centers in NBA 2K22. It’s handy for gamers who love cutting to the paint and delivering highlight-reel plays for the crowds. They capitalize on the strong physique of centers, taking advantage of their great balance and agility in the paint.
Every inch counts, especially when fighting for room in the paint. Finding the best angles and finishing over defenders isn’t a problem for centers with this build, as they have 90-plus overall for their standing dunk and finishing abilities. They don’t have great shooting ratings, but their rebounding and hustle make this build a legitimate contender to be crowned the best build in NBA 2K22.
Familiar interior finishers in real life are Deandre Ayton and Jonas Valančiūnas. They get the job done inside the paint while being threats with their solid footwork by the post.
2. Three-Level Scorer

- Top Attributes: 99 Close Shot, 99 Standing Dunk, 99 Post Control
- Top Secondary Attributes: 99 Block, 99 Offensive Rebound, 99 Defensive Rebound
- Height, Weight, and Wingspan: 7’0’‘, 280lbs, Maximum Wingspan
- Takeover Badge: Spot Up Shooter
A Three-Level Scoring center in NBA 2K22 is the crowd favorite build for big men. This reflects the evolution of the center in the modern game as now; they must be able to impact proceedings from the paint, mid-range, and the three-point mark. Centers of this build do not lose any physical points but usually need a complementary playmaking guard to suit their play style.
Centers of this caliber can be threats in the pick-and-pop, in the post, and when attacking the paint with their respectable 80-plus overall shooting ratings. You can rely on them to grab rebounds and block shots but would require another big man to really seal your interior defense consistently.
Joel Embiid and Brook Lopez are trademark three-level scorers, both on NBA 2K22 and in real life.
3. Paint Beast

- Top Attributes: 99 Close Shot, 99 Standing Dunk, 99 Block
- Top Secondary Attributes: 99 Stamina, 99 Offensive Rebound, 99 Defensive Rebound
- Height, Weight, and Wingspan: 6’11’‘, 285lbs, 7’5’‘
- Takeover Badge: Glass Cleaner
Paint Beasts are your centers that are so physical that only fouls will slow them down when they attempt to gobble up all of the board. They are very hard to push around in the paint and take up a lot of space, so opponents don’t even think of trying to drive in the paint. Their specialties include rebounding, blocking, and screen-setting for their teammates.
Very few players have this build in real life, which is why having your MyPlayer execute this build will make you stand out from the rest. Your team won’t need to worry about rebounds or interior defense as those elements are the key strengths of this build’s playstyle. Free throws and shooting are weaknesses, though, so forming a team around this playstyle can be tough at times.
Common renditions of this player build include Shaquille O’Neal and Rudy Gobert; it’s near-impossible to stop them when they are on the floor, but at the expense of possibly having them guard the quickest players.
4. Glass-Cleaning Lockdown

- Top Attributes: 99 Close Shot, 99 Standing Dunk, 99 Post Control
- Top Secondary Attributes: 99 Block, 99 Stamina, 92 Pass Accuracy
- Height, Weight, and Wingspan: 7’0’‘, 215lbs, Maximum Wingspan
- Takeover Badge: Glass Cleaner
Centers of this badge are two-in-one packages that can handle the rebounds in the paint while also being a shutdown defender by the post. They are reliable anchors in the frontcourt who can provide stability to your defense.
Having great agility is an asset in NBA 2K22, which this center build allows you to get. More attribute points are placed in rebounding, and the build’s defending ratings clock in at over 80 overall. A flaw that may be considered for this build is the lack of offense available. If you are the type that prides yourself on your defense, then this is the perfect build for you.
Famous players that demonstrate this build are Bam Adebayo or Clint Capela. Both are offensive liabilities, but their impact on defense makes them hard to bench for many teams in the league.
5. Pure-Speed Defender

- Top Attributes: 99 Close Shot, 99 Standing Dunk, 99 Block
- Top Secondary Attributes: 98 Stamina, 96 Post Control, 95 Free-Throw
- Height, Weight, and Wingspan: 6’9’‘, 193lbs, 7’5’‘
- Takeover Badge: Rim Protector
The Pure-Speed Defender build is a unique type of center to have in NBA 2K22. This big man is undersized but makes up for it with incredible wingspan and agility that’s far greater than other centers. It’s very unorthodox type of build worth experimenting with, but offers you the shooting and physical ratings that are akin to those of a forward.
Pure-Speed Defenders are the perfect small-ball centers to have if your team wants to play a run-and-gun system. You will be one of the best interior defenders on the floor while having the ability to chase guards around screens – traits that not many centers have in the modern NBA. You will have more of a rebounding and defending boost rather than shooting and physical traits for this build.
Draymond Green and P.J. Tucker are similar real-life examples for this top center build. Both are undersized bigs that can guard all positions on defense while offering some agility in the middle of the paint.
When you’re creating a MyPlayer big man, try out one of the best center builds of NBA 2K22 to dominate in the paint.
Looking for the best builds?
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Looking for the best 2K22 Badges?
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NBA 2K22: Best Playmaking Badges to Boost Your Game
NBA 2K22: Best Defensive Badges to Boost Your Game
NBA 2K22: Best Finishing Badges to Boost Your Game
NBA 2K22: Best Shooting Badges to Boost Your Game
NBA 2K22: Best Badges for 3-Point Shooters
NBA 2K22: Best Badges for a Slasher
NBA 2K22: Best Badges for a Paint Beast
NBA 2K23: Best Power Forwards (PF)
Looking for the best teams?
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NBA 2K23: Best Teams To Play For As A Center (C) in MyCareer
NBA 2K23: Best Teams To Play For As A Small Forward (SF) in MyCareer
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