“Kenny Got Work” named Most Valuable Player of NBA 2K League’s first in-season tournament

Raptors Uprising GC, NBA 2K League affiliate of the 2019 NBA champion Toronto Raptors, defeated Kings Guard Gaming in a 2-0 series (76-57 and 79-49) to win the NBA 2K League’s THE TIPOFF Tournament powered by AT&T. Kenneth “Kenny Got Work” Hailey, the franchise’s first-ever draft pick, was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player, tallying 364 points, 102 assists and 46 successful three-pointers made in 11 games through the tournament. Kenny averaged 28.0 points and 9.5 assists per game in THE TIPOFF Finals 2-0 series against Kings Guard Gaming, NBA 2K League affiliate of the Sacramento Kings.

Undefeated in regular season action, Raptors Uprising entered the first in-season tournament placed in Group 6 alongside Blazer5 Gaming (affiliate of the Portland Trail Blazers), Lakers Gaming (affiliate of the Los Angeles Lakers) and Gen.G Tigers of Shanghai, one of the league’s two expansion teams for the 2020 season. On Wednesday, Raptors Uprising emerged top of the group after beating Blazer5 Gaming and Lakers Gaming twice each, with a combined +127-point differential after four games.

On Thursday, Raptors Uprising swept Bucks Gaming 2-0 in a quarterfinal series (84-64 and 90-65), led by standout performances from veterans “Kenny Got Work” (59 points and 19 assists), Jerry “Sick One” Knapp (30 points, 28 rebounds and 12 assists) and Eric “Timelycook” Donald (35 points and 10 assists). Raptors Uprising then defeated Gen. G Tigers of Shanghai 2-1 in a semifinal series (70-66, 67-70 and 72-65) on Friday, with efforts from “Kenny Got Work” (90 points, 24 assists and 11 steals) and “Sick One” (32 points, 43 rebounds and 16 assists) leading the team to its first Finals appearance in franchise history.

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In light of the global pandemic, THE TIPOFF powered by AT&T took place remotely with all 23 participating teams playing from their respective local markets. All five RUGC players that featured in THE TIPOFF competed from the team’s residence and state-of-the-art training facility known as the Bell Fibe House, located in Toronto. Upon winning 10 of the team’s 11 games in THE TIPOFF, Raptors Uprising take home $70,000 USD in prize money, with losing finalist Kings Guard Gaming receiving $50,000 USD while Gen.G Tigers and Jazz Gaming each receive $20,000 USD after finishing third and fourth in the tournament. Raptors Uprising will also receive THE TIPOFF championship plaque, one of three plaques awarded to the three in-season tournament champions that altogether form THE BANNER CHAIN powered by AT&T.

With the conclusion of THE TIPOFF, the NBA 2K League’s regular season will resume on Tuesday, June 23. League teams will continue participating in regular season gameplay remotely for at least the next four weeks through Week 11 (July 14-17). Games will continue to be broadcasted live on the NBA 2K League’s Twitch and YouTube channels starting 7 p.m. ET every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday with four distinct matchups each night.

THE TURN, the league’s second in-season tournament, will take place during the week of July 20 with THE TICKET, the final tournament of the season, taking place during the week of August 10. The NBA 2K League Playoffs will run between August 19 and 22 before the NBA 2K League Finals on August 29.

Currently atop the NBA 2K League standings, Raptors Uprising GC (9-0) return to regular season action against Magic Gaming, NBA 2K League affiliate of the Orlando Magic, on Tuesday, June 23. Fresh from winning THE TIPOFF powered by AT&T, Raptors Uprising GC will play a total of seven more matches that will count towards its regular season record. Every remote matchup will continue to be played in a best-of-three format with one series victory representing one win in the standings. Raptors Uprising GC will have a bye during the week of July 7.

RAPTORS UPRISING GC 2020 SCHEDULE

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For more information on the NBA 2K League, visit NBA2KLeague.com.