Basketball Starting 5: how to draft and win
Five players, one coach, four quarters. Here is everything you need to know to draft a Starting 5 that wins.
Written by the Dream Draft XI team · Updated August 2026
The five positions
You draft one Point Guard, one Shooting Guard, one Small Forward, one Power Forward and one Center. Each player has six skills: shooting, passing, defense, rebounding, speed and clutch. Ratings stay hidden while you draft, so you decide with your basketball brain, not the numbers.
Safe or Risky?
A Safe pick gives you solid players from a steady range. A Risky pick can land a superstar — or a funny mascot you are stuck with. You get 15 seconds per pick and one reroll per draft.
Lucky moments
- Golden Pick: a rare card worth +5.
- ON FIRE: once per team, a hot streak worth +3.
The coach
After your five players you pick a coach. A great coach can lift a shaky lineup, so look at what your team is missing before you choose.
Game day
The game plays live over four quarters with a scoreboard and play-by-play. Win to earn coins, unlock achievements and climb the weekly basketball leaderboard. Try the AI on Easy, Medium or Hard, or take on the three-round tournament.
Frequently asked questions
- Who are the best players?
- Michael Jordan and LeBron James are tied at 99 as the twin GOATs. They have equal overall skill, but each has different signature strengths.
- Can I play with a friend?
- Yes. Play on the same device, or create an online room and send the invite link. Both of you watch the same game.
- Can a game end in a tie?
- No. If the score is level after four quarters, the game goes to overtime until there is a winner.
- Do the courts make my team stronger?
- No. Courts you buy in the shop only change how the game looks. Your score comes from your draft.