As each new basketball season rolls around, so too does the next installment in the sport's video game adaptation. In NBA 2K24, the National Basketball Association pays homage to late NBA legend Kobe Bryant as he graces the game's front cover. In the next edition of the NBA's flagship video game, players are able to get their hands on the latest rosters as they play their favorite game modes, from MyCareer to MyTeam and everything in between.
Basketball is one of the most popular sports in the world on account of the incredible skill, pace, and finesse that the NBA's athletes need to play with to be successful. While the game has a plethora of techniques and plays that get fans on the edge of their seats, one of the most exciting plays that can happen is the alley oop. This move requires a player throwing the ball in the air to themselves or a teammate, who then catches it in midair and slam dunks or lays-up the ball into the basket. This move never fails to get fans and teammates excited, and is something that players can replicate in the video game. For those looking to master the alley oop, both to a teammate and to themselves, in NBA 2K24, this guide will show you how.
Updated on April 8, 2024, by Tim Lord: As the NBA play-offs approach, there is no better time than now to fine-tune your skills in NBA 2K24. The alley oop is one of the more challenging moves to master in the game, so we have simplified the steps players will need to take to perform this move. In addition, we've also broken down how to alley oop to self in a separate section so players can make their next fastbreak play a memorable one.
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How to Alley Oop In NBA 2K24
On paper, performing an alley oop is a relatively straightforward process, but it requires expert timing and communication between two players to pull it off successfully. To perform an alley oop, players will need to follow these steps:
- When the passing player has the ball in their possession, tap the Lob Pass button twice (Triangle on PS, Y on Xbox).
- As the receiving player reaches the ball, press the Steal Button when the indicator flashes green (Square on PS, X on Xbox).
As you can see, the button input to perform an alley oop is simple, but this is not where most players will have difficulties. An alley oop requires good timing, excellent chemistry between teammates, and a little bit of luck. With this in mind, there are a few other considerations that need to be made in order to perform this flashy move and avoid turning over the ball to the opposition team.
To begin with, an alley oop will not be successful if there is no available player ready to receive the ball. If there isn't one available, the passing player will lob it into the air and it will likely be stolen by the opposition or cross the boundary line for a turnover. Before lobbing the ball for an alley oop, ensure a receiving player is available, preferably a center on account of their height advantage, and has a clear path to the basket. If they are being blocked or boxed-out by the opposition, the move has a very low chance of success. The clearer the lane, the higher chance players will have to execute an alley oop.
The other challenge for players looking to alley oop the ball is getting the timing right for the receiving player. This can be particularly challenging as players need to adjust from being in control of the passing player to the receiver almost instantly, which requires some very quick reflexes to be successful. To time the alley oop to perfection, players should be watching the receiving player from the time the ball is released so they can anticipate the indicator appearing and press the Steal button as it turns green.
How To Alley Oop To Self in NBA 2K24
In addition to players lobbing the ball to their teammates for an emphatic slam dunk finish, there is also the option for the passing player to lob the ball to themselves. This is a great tactic if there is a clear path to the hoop when the passing player has had to pick up their dribble, or a perfect way to add insult to injury during a fastbreak play. This variant of the alley oop can be performed basically the same way as a regular one, save for a minor adjustment.
To perform a self alley oop in NBA 2K24, players will need to do the following:
- Double tap the Lob Pass button while pointing the directional stick towards the basket.
- Tap the Steal Button as the indicator turns green.
The difference in button input between an alley oop to a teammate and one to self is the use of the directional stick. For a pass to a teammate, players need only double tap the Lob Pass button, whereas to perform one to yourself requires the use of the left stick. No matter which method players choose to attempt, a successful alley oop will get a desirable reaction from the commentators and fans, and will likely be replayed several times to showcase the finesse of the play.
NBA 2K24
- Platform(s)
- PC , PS5 , PS4 , Switch , Xbox Series X , Xbox Series S , Xbox One
- Released
- September 8, 2023
- Developer(s)
- Visual Concepts
- Publisher(s)
- 2K Games
