NBA 2K23 marks the second installment where we see Seasons, which offers 40 levels each with its own reward. You can earn XP by playing games in The City or on the GOAT Boat whether you’re playing Park or Rec games. Rewards typically range from apparel to MyTeam packs to locomotives, as well as bonus badge points that you can get with level 39 every Season.
It can feel like a grind when playing a lot of 3-on-3 games in the Park. This is simply because the games are shorter, and although you can get through games quicker, they may not help you get your XP up faster. Getting on a winning streak can help but obviously that’s not always going to happen.
Fortunately, you can mow down those first several levels pretty easily. It’s once you start really moving into those double digits where things seem to slow down a bit and it feels more like a grind. But don’t worry, there are a few ways aside from playing Park games to help you level up faster and snag those rewards.
This is one of the most effective and longtime methods for gaining Rep/XP fast in NBA 2K. Playing games in the Rec has been a popular way to grow since its inception in NBA 2K15 as an addition MyPark. It gives you that classic indoor 5-on-5 action as you trade in the streets for the hardwood. It gives you vibes that are that of the Drew League to an extent.
But anyway, how this helps you level in NBA 2K23 is that the games are longer. This gives you a chance to build up your stats, which in turn will allow you to receive a nice chunk of boost in that XP meter. And if you win, then that’s even better. Winning streak? Now you’re really cooking, for real.
But even if things don’t go your way in the Rec, a bad day on the hardwood is better than a bad day in Park games. Don’t get me wrong, please do continue to play Park games as they can give you those little nudges you need while you take a break from Rec. Playing games consecutively in Rec can feel tiring sometimes and so it’s always nice to get in some short games in the Park too.
Ahh, yes one of the most important things on the stat sheet. In fact, it might be the most important thing when it comes to filling that XP meter in NBA 2K23. Look, we all love to score, not just in 2K but in any sports-related game. That said, the teammate grade system is a reminder that there’s more to the game than just scoring.
You can raise your TG by doing things like playing good defense, getting rebounds, making good passes, and even little things like setting screens. Don’t worry scorers, you can get your Teammate Grade up as well by making smart shot decisions. Combine that with a few of the other things we talked about and that grade will be an A in no time.
If you do get a grade of B or higher, then expect a nice boost in XP meter. It’s arguably the ultimate way to tell how you played in a game. Even if your stats aren’t spectacular, that just means you had an impact on the game that went beyond the stat sheet. Having great numbers can certainly help, no doubt about that, but that TG can put you over the top when it comes to repping up in 2K.
Rec games are probably the ultimate way to get your XP up from a game style standpoint, but if have zero interest in the Rec or just want to incorporate more 3-on-3 action into your strategy, then make sure to play more matchmaking games. These are games where you don’t need a squad and there’s essentially no wait times. You’ll drop right onto the court.
On new gen, the place for this is The Theater, which is brand new to The City in NBA 2K. You’ll be able to choose between four different theaters within the building, each with games that have their own rules and a cool theatrical-style arena. Rules could include a shorter shot clock or a faster game speed, but most of the time your classic 3-on-3 games are among the options. These four game styles will swap out every Friday.
As for old gen, you have a couple of options here. There’s The Bridge, which is 3-on-3 that takes place in the really neat control room of the GOAT Boat. You can find it next to the MyTeam building in the Promenade — and you can get into a game in the blink of an eye here. The other option is the Galleon, which is dedicated to 1-on-1 play. This takes place in the dope pirate ship that’s in the middle of the Promenade. This is the only permanent 1-on-1 venue as on new gen 1-on-1 is rotated in and out of The Theater.
Another good way to play matchmaking games is during events. Most events in The City and on the GOAT Boat are matchmaking ones, so you can easily dive right into the fun on the court while taking in whatever the theme is for those events. Not to mention, there are rewards to be had in these events too.
This was one thing I left out from the main tips because it’s not something you can use every day. But getting XP coins is a great way to rep up fast. Use them, play well, and see that meter rise like a Tarnished in Elden Ring. You can unlock these sometimes with your Daily Prize and you can also get them by, well, repping up as they’re regular Season rewards. Also, we mentioned events. The majority of these events do include double the XP, which is always nice so keep that in mind as well.
Colin Mieczkowski has been a writer for Operation Sports for a bit now and loves golf and basketball games. In addition, he's really been bewitched by the Steam Deck and has been looking for any and all ways to play sports games on Steam's portable device. When he's not playing PGA Tour 2K, NBA 2K, or EA Sports PGA Tour, you can find him watching plenty of sports on TV.
