When I first booted up NBA 2K19, I'll admit I spent more time in the MyCareer builder than actually playing games. That character creation screen holds the key to virtual basketball dominance, and after testing countless builds across three competitive seasons, I've identified the absolute best positions and builds that consistently dominate the court. Interestingly, this reminds me of real-world combat sports strategy - much like how Jerwin Ancajas approached his 2023 US fight against Colombian Wilner Soto in Minneapolis, where he secured that fifth-round TKO in a non-title bout. The precision in planning, the understanding of strengths versus weaknesses, that's exactly what separates good 2K players from legendary ones.

Let me start with what I consider the most overpowered build in the current meta - the Playmaking Shot Creator at point guard position. This build gives you an 89 ball handling rating right out of the gate, allowing you to break ankles with ease while maintaining a deadly mid-range game that scores consistently in the 85-90% range when open. I've personally dropped 50-point games using this build against elite competition, and what makes it truly special is how it mirrors real basketball intelligence. Just as Ancajas studied Soto's patterns before that Minneapolis fight, I study my opponents' defensive tendencies - if they overplay the three, I drive for an easy two; if they sag off, I'll drain threes at about 45% clip. The beauty of this build is its versatility - at 6'4" with a wingspan optimized for steals, you're a threat in every phase of the game.

Now, if you prefer dominating the paint, the Pure Post Scorer at center position is absolutely brutal this year. I created mine at 7'1" with maximum wingspan, and the results have been staggering - averaging 25 points and 15 rebounds in Park games. The post moves are virtually unguardable once mastered, with hook shots hitting at around 75% efficiency within five feet. What many players don't realize is that this build requires the same strategic patience Ancajas demonstrated in his fight - sometimes you need to feel out your opponent for a round or two before unleashing your best moves. I'll often spend the first quarter establishing position and feeling my defender's tendencies before exploiting their weaknesses in the second half.

The Sharpshooting Playmaker at shooting guard deserves special mention because it revolutionized how I approach the game. This build gives you an 86 three-point rating combined with elite dribbling capabilities, creating the perfect offensive engine. I've found that maintaining approximately 55% from beyond the arc is completely achievable with this build, provided you take smart shots. The key is understanding spacing and timing - much like how Ancajas picked his moments against Soto before landing that fight-ending combination in the fifth round. There's an artistry to knowing when to strike, whether in the boxing ring or on the virtual court.

What's fascinating about NBA 2K19's build system is how it rewards specialization while punishing mediocrity. I've tested hybrid builds that try to do everything, and they consistently underperform compared to focused archetypes. The game mechanics favor players who master specific skills rather than being average at everything. This reminds me of training philosophy in combat sports - champions like Ancajas don't become great by being okay at everything, they identify their core strengths and develop them to elite levels. My Pure Sharp build, for instance, sacrifices defense for unparalleled shooting, and I've learned to compensate through positioning and basketball IQ rather than raw attributes.

The defensive specialist small forward might not get the glory, but in competitive play, it's arguably the most valuable build on the court. I've built mine with maximum wingspan and defensive attributes prioritized, resulting in approximately 3.5 steals and 2 blocks per game in Pro-Am matches. This build embodies the strategic patience we saw in Ancajas' approach - sometimes the most devastating offensive move is completely shutting down your opponent's best player. The satisfaction of locking up a scoring machine and watching them get frustrated is unparalleled, and it often leads to easy transition buckets when they force bad shots.

After hundreds of hours testing these builds, I've concluded that success in NBA 2K19's MyCareer comes down to self-awareness and strategic planning. You need to honestly assess your playstyle and build around it, just as real athletes build their training around their natural abilities. The builds I've highlighted here represent the pinnacle of what's possible when you optimize your virtual athlete for specific dominance. Whether you're dropping dimes with the Playmaking Shot Creator or dominating the paint with the Pure Post Scorer, the common thread is specialization and mastery. Much like Ancajas' calculated approach to his fights, the best 2K players understand that victory often comes before the game even starts - right there in the creation screen where champions are built.