Quick answer
The Andrei Kirilenko GOAT Build in NBA 2K27 is called "The Specialist," and it's free: pick it from the GOAT Builds path in the MyPLAYER Builder, with no Season level, REP or challenges needed (Season 2 has been live since October 16, 2026). It's a 6'9" small forward, 235 lbs, with a 7'0" wingspan, and it's the "AK-47" build players are calling a box-score stuffer: 93 Steal, 93 Block and 92 Perimeter Defense, plus 85 on both rebounds, 80 Pass Accuracy and 83 Three-Point. He's the only one of the 18 GOAT Builds with 90+ in both Steal and Block. The weak spots are 60 Strength and 60 Post Control, and his defensive ratings are already maxed, so Cap Breakers go into offense and the glass. Attributes and animations are locked; Badges, Cap Breakers and Takeovers are yours. Everything below applies to Season 2 on Patch 2.0, checked October 19, 2026.
How do you get the Andrei Kirilenko GOAT Build in NBA 2K27?
Kirilenko is one of the eight GOAT Builds you can make on day one of Season 2, alongside Kawhi Leonard, Carmelo Anthony, Klay Thompson, Penny Hardaway, Gilbert Arenas, Anthony Davis and Dwight Howard. 2K's Season 2 announcement lists some of them by name: "GOAT Builds available at release include Klay Thompson, Carmelo Anthony, Anthony Davis, Dwight Howard, and more" (2K Newsroom, Oct 14, 2026). Kirilenko's day-one status comes from the in-game builder as recorded by NBA2KLab and goatbuilds.wiki.
How to create him:
- Open the MyPLAYER Builder and choose the GOAT Builds path.
- Pick Andrei Kirilenko (SF). The build is labeled "The Specialist" and uses the All-Time Utah Jazz version.
- Create the build, then set your Badges, Cap Breakers and Takeovers like you would on any MyPLAYER.
Like any build, he starts low and you upgrade him to 99 OVR with VC. 2K hasn't published a VC-to-99 figure for GOAT Builds. Trackers put it at about the same as a normal build, so budget as if you were making a regular MyPLAYER. For every legend and unlock path, see our full NBA 2K27 GOAT Builds list.
What is "The Specialist" GOAT Build?
The builder blurb, as listed by NBA2KLab, reads: "Rare 5x5 threat. Stuffs the box score with elite shot-blocking, passing, steals, offensive glass, and defense." That's where the AK-47 nickname from his Utah years fits: five categories, all loaded.
| Spec | Andrei Kirilenko GOAT Build |
|---|---|
| Build name | The Specialist |
| Version | All-Time Utah Jazz |
| Position | Small forward |
| Height / weight | 6'9" / 235 lbs |
| Wingspan | 7'0" |
| Potential overall | 99 |
| Unlock | Free, GOAT Builds builder path, Season 2 day one |
GOAT Builds work differently from the normal builder. In 2K's words, they "exceed the standard physical and attribute caps of the MyPLAYER Builder," and "the animations and stats are locked to preserve each player's authentic feel, while keeping full access to Badges, Cap Breakers, and more" (2K Newsroom). You can't move attribute points around. Your choices are Badges, Cap Breakers and Takeovers.
What are the Andrei Kirilenko GOAT Build's attributes?
These are his ratings at 99 OVR, with the ceiling you reach by filling every Cap Breaker slot. Data comes from NBA2KLab's GOAT Builds tool and matches goatbuilds.wiki, both checked October 19, 2026.
| Attribute | Base (99 OVR) | Ceiling with all Cap Breakers | Cap Breaker slots |
|---|---|---|---|
| Close Shot | 85 | 92 | +2, +2, +1, +1, +1 |
| Driving Layup | 80 | 90 | +2 ×5 |
| Driving Dunk | 82 | 87 | +1 ×5 |
| Standing Dunk | 70 | 86 | +4, +4, +3, +3, +2 |
| Post Control | 60 | 89 | +8, +6, +6, +5, +4 |
| Mid-Range Shot | 75 | 82 | +2, +2, +1, +1, +1 |
| Three-Point Shot | 83 | 86 | +1 ×3 |
| Free Throw | 80 | 95 | +4, +4, +4, +3 |
| Pass Accuracy | 80 | 90 | +2 ×5 |
| Ball Handle | 75 | 80 | +3, +2 |
| Speed With Ball | 75 | 75 | maxed |
| Interior Defense | 75 | 80 | +1 ×5 |
| Perimeter Defense | 92 | 92 | maxed |
| Steal | 93 | 93 | maxed |
| Block | 93 | 93 | maxed |
| Offensive Rebound | 85 | 89 | +2, +2 |
| Defensive Rebound | 85 | 90 | +1 ×5 |
| Speed | 80 | 81 | +1 |
| Agility | 85 | 85 | maxed |
| Strength | 60 | 66 | +2, +1, +1, +1, +1 |
| Vertical | 85 | 90 | +1 ×5 |
How he stacks up against the other 17 GOAT Builds:
- Steal 93 is second only to Kawhi Leonard's 94.
- Block 93 is the best of any non-big. Only the four bigs (Hakeem 95; Wilt, Anthony Davis and Dwight 94) are higher.
- He's the only GOAT Build with 90+ in both Steal and Block.
- Average rating 79.9 across all 21 attributes is fourth of 18, behind LeBron (84.0), Magic (81.3) and Jordan (80.3), and the highest of the eight day-one builds.
- Strength 60 is tied for the lowest of the 18, with Jordan and Anthony Edwards.
The shape is unusual: there's no single 95+ rating anywhere, but almost nothing is below 75. That's why players describe him as a stat-sheet build rather than a scorer.
What badges does the Kirilenko GOAT Build get?
Badges are customizable, but the tier you can reach still depends on the ratings, the same way attribute breakpoints and badge thresholds work on any build. With zero Cap Breakers spent, NBA2KLab lists 42 badges:
- Finishing (9): Aerial Wizard (Gold), Float Game, Ghost Stepper and Paint Prodigy (Silver), Hook Specialist, Layup Mixmaster, Physical Finisher, Posterizer and Rise Up (Bronze).
- Shooting (8): Set and Fire and Static Middy (Silver), Arc Cadence, Deadeye, Limitless Range, Post Fade Phenom, Quick Trigger and Smooth Operator (Bronze).
- Playmaking (8): Break Starter, Dimer, Lightning Launch and Versatile Visionary (Silver), Ankle Assassin, Handles for Days, Pace and Unpluckable (Bronze).
- Defense (9): High-Flying Denier and Off-Ball Pest (Hall of Fame), Challenger, Glove, Interceptor and Seatbelt (Gold), Ankle Braces, Paint Patroller and Pick Dodger (Silver).
- Rebounding (4): Sync Snatcher (Gold), Crasher (Silver), Boxout Boss and Possession Closer (Bronze).
- Physicals (4): Pogo Stick and Work Horse (Gold), Slippery Off-Ball (Silver), Flash (Bronze).
Both Hall of Fame badges are defensive, and they're the two that suit a weak-side roamer: High-Flying Denier for chase-down and help blocks, Off-Ball Pest for making life hard on the man you're shadowing. Add Gold Glove and Interceptor and you can see where the steals come from. If you want to understand what those ratings do on the court, our guide on how to get more steals in NBA 2K27 covers timing and the badges behind it. The shooting side is the thin part: every shooting badge sits at Silver or Bronze.
Where should you put Cap Breakers on the Kirilenko GOAT Build?
Cap Breakers are permanent, each attribute takes at most five, and you only earn a limited number of them. Our guide on how many Cap Breakers you can get breaks down every source.
One thing to know before you plan: his best defensive ratings can't be raised. Perimeter Defense, Steal and Block are all maxed for this build, and so are Agility and Speed With Ball. Speed has a single +1 slot. One r/NBA2k reply told a player to "dump the cap breakers into speed and perimeter defense first." On this build that doesn't work, because those slots don't exist.
Our suggested glue-guy plan for Rec:
- Free Throw, first two slots (80 → 88). +4 and +4. A wing who crashes the glass and cuts gets fouled; this is a cheap, reliable bump.
- Pass Accuracy, two to three slots (80 → 84 or 86). +2 each. He already has four Silver playmaking badges; this pushes him toward the "grab and go" role his rebounding sets up.
- Defensive Rebound or Offensive Rebound. Offensive Rebound has just two slots (+2, +2 to 89). Defensive Rebound is +1 per slot to 90. Players chasing the rebounding badges spend here first. One player running the build said it averages "like 14" boards for them, with a best game of 22.
Before you lock any of these in, use the builder's preview to see which badge tiers each slot unlocks. On this build, most slots are only +1 or +2, so the badge tier you unlock matters more than the raw number.
The "post scorer" plan: Post Control has the biggest slots on the sheet (+8, +6, +6, +5, +4), and all five take it from 60 to 89. Two slots (60 → 74) already help if you like posting smaller wings. It's a real option, but with 60 Strength he won't move bigger defenders much.
The "shooter" plan: Three-Point only has three +1 slots (83 → 86), and Mid-Range only reaches 82. Players who've tried it are honest about it. One said: "I went with 85 three, 87 d board, 86 pass... Tbh I still have trouble shooting with this build at 85. The jumper is awful." If you want a reliable jump shooter at small forward, Carmelo Anthony or Kawhi Leonard fit better.
Skip: Driving Dunk and Interior Defense (+1 per slot), and Strength (+2 then +1s, maxing out at 66). Another player made the same point about dunks: five Cap Breakers to take Driving Dunk from 82 to 87 is a lot to spend for a small badge upgrade, and Vertical is a better use. For priority logic on any build, see where to put Cap Breakers in NBA 2K27.
Is the Andrei Kirilenko GOAT Build good in Rec?
Three days into Season 2, players running or facing him in Rec say the same thing: he's a nightmare as a help defender and rebounder, and he's not the guy to put on a fast point guard. From the r/NBA2k thread on the AK-47 build:
"Build is great defensively but he definitely is not guarding a fast guard. 2-4 definitely though."
In a Kawhi vs AK-47 thread, one player summed up the difference in a line:
"Kawhi is the better onball lock, while AK is the better swing/backend"
What that means in practice:
- Guard 2 through 4, not 1. His 85 Agility and 80 Speed are fine for wings, but the shiftiest guards will cross him. Let your perimeter lock take the ball handler.
- Play the back line. 93 Block, 93 Steal and two HOF defensive badges reward help defense: rotating off the weak side, jumping passing lanes and contesting at the rim.
- Crash, then push. 85 Offensive and Defensive Rebound plus Break Starter means he can rebound and start the break himself. That's how the box score fills up.
- Don't build the offense around his jumper. An 83 three with Bronze shooting badges is a spot-up shot, not a creator's weapon. Players who keep it simple get the most out of him.
He fits squads that already have a primary scorer and need someone to do everything else.
Is Kirilenko better than Kawhi, LeBron or Carmelo?
There are four small forward GOAT Builds in Season 2. Three of them are free on day one.
| Build | Size | Unlock | Strengths | Weak spot |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andrei Kirilenko | 6'9", 7'0" wing | Free, day one | 93 Steal, 93 Block, 92 Perimeter D, 85/85 rebounds | 60 Strength, 75 Mid-Range |
| Kawhi Leonard | 6'7", 7'3" wing | Free, day one | 96 Perimeter D, 94 Steal, 91 Mid-Range, 95 Agility | 50 Block, 60 Offensive Rebound |
| LeBron James | 6'8", 7'0" wing | REP Legend I | 96 Perimeter D, 90 Pass, 92 Strength, 95 Vertical | 75 Steal and Block, 50 Offensive Rebound |
| Carmelo Anthony | 6'8", 7'0" wing | Free, day one | 96 Mid-Range, 85 Three, 86 Ball Handle | 50 Block, 60 Steal |
Against Kawhi: Kawhi is the on-ball lockdown and the better shooter (91 Mid-Range against 75). Kirilenko is the help defender and rebounder: 93 Block against Kawhi's 50, and 85 on both boards against 60 and 70. If you guard the ball handler, take Kawhi. Our Kawhi Leonard GOAT Build guide covers him in full.
Against LeBron: LeBron has the higher overall sheet and the better playmaking and athleticism, but he's behind REP Legend I. Kirilenko gives you more steals, blocks and offensive rebounds for free.
Against Carmelo: Not really the same job. Melo is a bucket-getter with 50 Block and 60 Steal. Kirilenko is everything else.
If you like the role but want your own jumper and attributes, our best small forward build shows how the regular builder handles a 6'9" two-way wing.
Can you change Kirilenko's jump shot and animations?
Not really. 2K locks GOAT Build animations as part of the package. NBA2KLab lists a Haywood Highsmith jump shot base with Miles Bridges upper releases and an Obi Toppin free throw, and gives the release speed as "Normal." goatbuilds.wiki says release speed is locked too. 2K hasn't confirmed either way, so check your own Jump Shot settings.
Other animations listed by NBA2KLab: DeMar DeRozan and Kevin Huerter signature dunks, Pro contact dunks, a Jaden McDaniels motion style, and a Cooper Flagg euro step.
Is the Andrei Kirilenko GOAT Build worth it?
Yes, if you want to defend, rebound and make the extra pass. He costs nothing to unlock, he's the only GOAT Build with 90+ Steal and Block, and his overall sheet is the strongest of the eight day-one picks. In a squad with a real scorer, he fills every gap.
No, if you want to score off the dribble or hit contested jumpers. His shooting badges top out at Silver, the three only reaches 86 with Cap Breakers, and players say the jumper takes getting used to. If you need to guard the quickest point guard on the floor, Kawhi is the safer pick.
Season 2 is three days old, and 2K can retune GOAT Builds in a later patch the same way Patch 2.0 retuned shooting and contests. We'll update this page if his ratings change. For the paint version of the same idea, read our Dwight Howard GOAT Build guide.
FAQ
How do you unlock the Andrei Kirilenko GOAT Build in NBA 2K27? Open the MyPLAYER Builder, choose the GOAT Builds path and pick Andrei Kirilenko. He's been available since Season 2 launched on October 16, 2026, with no Season level, REP or Lifetime Challenges required.
Why is the Kirilenko GOAT Build called AK-47? It's Andrei Kirilenko's nickname from his Utah Jazz career (his initials plus his jersey number, 47). Players use "AK-47" and "AK47 build" for this GOAT Build. In the builder it's labeled "The Specialist."
How tall is the Andrei Kirilenko GOAT Build? 6'9" and 235 lbs with a 7'0" wingspan. Height, weight and wingspan are fixed on GOAT Builds, so you can't change them.
Can you Cap Break Kirilenko's Perimeter Defense, Steal or Block? No. All three are maxed for this build at 92, 93 and 93, along with Agility and Speed With Ball. His Cap Breaker slots go into offense, free throws, passing and rebounding.
What are the best Cap Breakers for the Kirilenko GOAT Build? Free Throw first (+4 and +4, 80 → 88), then Pass Accuracy (+2 per slot), then rebounding. If you like posting up, Post Control has the biggest slots on the sheet (+8, +6, +6, +5, +4). Cap Breakers are permanent, so preview them before you apply them.
Is Kirilenko or Kawhi the better GOAT Build for defense? Kawhi is better on the ball (96 Perimeter Defense, 94 Steal, 95 Agility). Kirilenko is better off the ball and at the rim (93 Block against Kawhi's 50) and rebounds far better. Players sum it up as Kawhi for the on-ball lock and AK for the "swing/backend."
More NBA 2K27 Season 2 guides: the full GOAT Builds list and unlock paths, the Kobe Bryant GOAT Build, and how to level up fast in Season 2.
