NBA 2K25's top three rated players all hail from outside the United States
By Brian Allen
The Olympics gave us a glimpse at how close the rest of the world has gotten to the NBA's elite. America's team took home the gold, but it wasn't a cakewalk. NBA 2K25's ratings are further proof of a global game, as the top three stars are from outside basketball's birthplace.
Taking the top spot is the Joker himself, Nikola Jokic. The Serbian born star has turned the Denver Nuggets into a powerhouse and earned himself a 97 overall rating in the process. He has three MVP Awards and a championship, unquestionably earning his spot at the top.
At no. 2 is Dallas Mavericks wunderkind Luka Doncic, also a 97 overall. Doncic and the Mavs very nearly won the title this past NBA season. Full disclosure: I am writing all this from Dallas so I'm going to pretend Luka was robbed of the top spot, OK? Doncic is a Slovenian superstar that is already one of the league's best and is still improving.
In third is the man nicknamed "The Greek Freak," Giannis Antetokounmpo also with a 97 overall. It doesn't appear that 2K25 clarified how they separated the top 3 since they have the same overall rating. Born in Greece to Nigerian parents, Giannis' story is the stuff of movies, and he does have a documentary.
Giannis led the Milwaukee Bucks to the 2021 NBA Championship, earning a Finals MVP in the process. For those wondering, NBA 2K25 cover athlete Jayson Tatum is a 95 overall, the game's eighth-highest rating. In some games, the cover athlete has powers and abilities far beyond those of mortal men, but NBA 2K25 played it fair here. Here's the full Top 10:
1. Nikola Jokić, Denver Nuggets (97)
2. Luka Dončić, Dallas Mavericks (97)
3. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks (97)
4. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder (96)
5. Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers (96)
6. LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers (95)
7. Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors (95)
8. Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics (95)
9. Kevin Durant, Phoenix Suns (94)
10. Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Lakers (94)