Author: Stefan Alvarez

“My great grandmother did a lot raising me. My family instilled in me hard work and the value of education growing up.” Earlier this week, the NBA 2K League announced the official date of the draft for the 2019 season: Tuesday March 5th in Brooklyn, New York. The draft will consist of four rounds and seventy-four total picks, with over 150 eligible gamers. So, if my math is correct (which it rarely is) not every player will be selected, a key difference from the 2018 draft. This years pool of eligible gamers encompass unretained season one players and season two…

Season one of the NBA 2K League, the eSport affiliate of the National Basketball Association, was regarded by many as a success and became the first professional league of the four major sports in the U.S. Seventeen of the thirty NBA teams participated in the inaugural season, and four more are joining the slate for this year. With season two rapidly approaching, 200 hopeful newcomers have already begun taking part in league-scheduled interviews conducted by GM’s, coaches, and other league officials. Meanwhile, season one returnees prepare for another year of 2K by practicing with their pro-am squads or laying back at…

The time has come for all NBA 2K League Season Two hopefuls, as the league has confirmed its combine requirements and start date for the upcoming draft pool. August 25th, 2017, was the day Knicks Gaming were crowned Season One champions. Since, players around the world have longed for the news that the league office finally announced on Wednesday: the Season Two Combine requirements. Managing Director of the league, Brendan Donahue took to Periscope to confirm the news. All Season Two hopefuls will have an opportunity to showcase their skills on November 2nd and will run through November 26th. Players will use their respective MyPlayer and compete…

It’s been two weeks since the NBA 2K League conducted their first ever expansion draft. Eight professional gamers found themselves a new home, but they weren’t alone. Once the clock struck midnight, on Saturday September 27th, the official trade window was open. A window which remained open until 11:59 PM, on October 10th. Teams were allowed to trade any one of its current players, for another player or a 2019 first-round pick in the upcoming NBA 2K League Draft. All trades required a 1:1 ratio, meaning a team could not trade two picks for one player and vice versa. Let’s…

The vastly popular video game series NBA 2K set a new standard of eSports leagues last year when it announced its brand new NBA sponsored league. After a highly successful first season, which saw Knicks Gaming take home the inaugural trophy, the league is back and ready to roll out the controllers for the competitive gamers. The league originally held 17 NBA franchises spanning across the United States. Season 2 will feature four new gaming squads: Brooklyn, Atlanta, Minnesota and Los Angeles. The four new franchises gathered Wednesday night to hold the first ever NBA 2K League Expansion Draft. …

The Kawhi Leonard trade saga has finally come to an end. The 27-year-old two-time Defensive Player of the Year is headed to Canada. In return, Toronto will send All-Star DeMar Derozan to San Antonio.  Reports of a deal began to break in the early hours of Wednesday morning with Yahoo’s Shams Charania leading the way. Toronto Receives: Kawhi Leonard, Danny Green San Antonio Receives: DeMar Derozan, Jakob Poeltl, 2019 protected 1st round pick Newest Star in the Lone Star State Spurs’ fans have longed awaited the departure of Leonard after the relationship between him and the organization hit a crossroads…

The Vegas Summer League playoffs officially began Wednesday afternoon. The teams now have something other than an NBA contract to play for. And for many of the players participating, it will be the last time to perform on a national stage. The Miami Heat and New Orleans Pelicans met up in round one. Jarrod Jones Too Much for Pels’ The Miami Heat decided they had seen enough from second year big man Bam Adebayo this summer and elected to sit him for the playoffs. Fifth year pro out of Ball State, Jarrod Jones, took that move as an opportunity…

Robinson and Adebayo Run the Show for Miami Duncan Robinson stole the hearts of Heat fans with his instant catch and shooting. The Heat have longed for a consistent outside shooter since its days where Ray Allen did the bulk of the outside work. The rookie, whom was once a Division 3 basketball player before transferring to Michigan, signed a two way deal with Miami hours before tip off. Unlike most Summer League teams, the Miami Heat don’t have a rookie first rounder that lures their fan base to Vegas. Instead, in typical Pat Riley fashion, the Heat have built…

Ellenson and Thomas roll over New Orleans The Pistons and Pelicans opened Monday’s Summer League play with an early blowout. Detroit controlled every aspect of the game for the full 40 minutes. Specifically, the three-time Summer League participant Henry Ellenson, whom nearly recorded a triple double with 13 points, ten rebounds, and seven assists. Ellenson did struggle with his shooting, which was a subpar 5-for-12. However, his rookie running mate, Khyri Thomas did not. Thomas shot a near perfect 80% from the field and added 12 points, but it was his defense that continued to be a focal point. With…

Jonathan Isaac Continues Stellar Play Jonathan Isaac and the Orlando Magic have given some hope to fans down in central Florida, with two wins to start their Summer League. Orlando has longed for a dominate player on either side of the ball since the departure of Dwight Howard back in 2012. While it’s just Summer League and no one expects the Magic to make a playoff run in a lackluster Eastern Conference, Isaac is giving Orlando faithfuls something to look forward to. The NBA sophomore provided 21 points in the team’s first game against Brooklyn days ago, and continued his…