2021 NBA 2K League Draft

Hawks Talon GC Scout Xavier Daniel (WalkOnWarriors) Answers Questions Before 2021 NBA 2K League Draft on Saturday, March 13

Published

4 years ago

March 10, 2021

Hawks Talon Gaming Club will have three selections in the 2021 NBA 2K League Draft which will take place on Saturday, March 13. These picks are 11th overall (first round), 34th overall (second round) and 48th overall (third round). Helping Head Coach Wesley Acuff over the past few months with the scouting process has been @WalkOnWarriors (Xavier Daniel) and @MattMorg__ (Matthew Morgan). Below is a Q&A with @WalkOnWarriors.

Name: Xavier Daniel | Gamertag: TheXisStillFree | Twitter Handle: @WalkOnWarriors

Q: Been Playing NBA 2K Since…

“Since I could remember. My very first 2K was on the Dreamcast. I was the best center ever… against the computer.”

European Gaming Congress 2024 (Warsaw, Poland)

Q: What does it mean to you to have an opportunity to be a scout with Hawks Talon?

“It truly means a lot to me. It allows me to engage with upcoming talents like never before. It also gives me the opportunity to work with amazing people throughout the entire 2K community.”

Q: What do you look for when you scout players?

“I’m huge on defense, so I’m really looking at rotations. If anyone is in the house with me when I’m watching games, I’m most excited about big defensive plays above anything else.”

Q: What is your favorite build to watch and why?

“My favorite build to watch is any of the frontcourt builds whether it is the Lockdown Defender, Power Forward or the Big since those are my natural positions I run. If I had to choose one, it would be the Power Forward because that position gets the most flack for just being on the court, so if someone is making a difference from there, there’s something special about that player.”

Q: What does it take to be a good scout?

“Of course, the understanding of how 2K is played, but one of the underrated talents is the ability to research and find out all the players that you need to watch. A lot of players don’t understand how to set up all of their social media accounts to make it readily accessible to catch them play.”

Q: What are your favorite moments in 2K League history?

“One of my favorite moments in NBA 2K League history is watching the Draft. It may seem like a regular occasion to most, and I’m not getting drafted, but it’s absolutely a joy to watch some of the guys who I’ve been watching for years finally walk that stage.”

Q: Do you have to be an exceptional 2K player to be a good scout?

“Absolutely not. To me, you don’t have to understand the 2K mechanics, but playing the game is a huge advantage. Like any other sport, you may not be gifted with the athletic abilities but that doesn’t stop you from understanding the game and changing it from the sidelines.”

Q: Why basketball?

“Basketball like many others was my childhood sport of choice. I loved watching it as a kid and playing it in the parks on the weekend. It truly brought me together with many people that I’ll call my brothers for life.”

2021 NBA 2K League Draft

NBA 2K LEAGUE REVEALS 265 PLAYERS VYING FOR 63 SPOTS AT 2021 NBA 2K LEAGUE DRAFT

Published

4 years ago

March 12, 2021

GamingAmericas.com

The NBA 2K League announced the pool of 265 players who are eligible for the 2021 NBA 2K League Draft, which will be held virtually on Saturday, March 13 at 7 p.m. ET and livestreamed on the NBA 2K League’s Twitch and YouTube channels.

The 265 draft-eligible players consist of 175 players who earned eligibility through the NBA 2K League Draft Prospect Series, 22 players from international qualifying events over the last two offseasons, five players from the NBA 2K League’s Women in Gaming initiative, five players who were identified by the NBA 2K League and its teams as high-performing players in the 2K community, and 58 unretained players from the 2020 season. The offseason evaluation process also featured events for teams to evaluate only draft-eligible players competing against each other, including the NBA 2K League Draft Prospect Series Showcase and the NBA 2K League Combine. A complete list of draft-eligible players is available here*.

This year’s draft pool includes a record 33 international players from nine countries – Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, Singapore, Spain, Turkey and the U.K. – and a record 10 women, who earned eligibility through both the NBA 2K League Draft Prospect Series and the NBA 2K League’s Women in Gaming initiative. Fans can visit the NBA 2K League YouTube channel to meet some of the members of this year’s class in the NBA 2K League original content series, “Draft Hopefuls.”

At the conclusion of the four-round draft, all 23 NBA 2K League teams will have completed their six-person rosters. Lakers Gaming has the first overall pick, Pacers Gaming has the second overall pick, and the Gen.G Tigers of Shanghai have the third overall pick. For the complete draft order, click here.

“The 2020-21 offseason evaluation process was our most extensive to date, including 38 team-hosted tournaments as part of the NBA 2K League Draft Prospect Series, three international qualifying tournaments, a revamped Women in Gaming initiative and our first combine solely for draft-eligible players,” said NBA 2K League President Brendan Donohue. “We’re looking forward to an exciting draft night as our teams add 63 of the best 2K players in the world in advance of our fourth season.”

For the first time, fans watching the draft will have access to a variety of viewing options through Twitch’s Command Center, including 2v2 MyPark games with former NBA 2K League players, draftees; live interviews with draftees; and the Virtual VIP Lounge featuring influencers Champ2K, Dominus, Dribble2Much, KILLA KAY, KRYPTO9095, Miro and Overtime Megan. The broadcast will also feature special guests announcing select picks, including hip-hop artists 2 Chainz (Hawks Talon GC) and Big Latto (Hawks Talon GC), Boston Celtics President Rich Gotham (CLTX Crossover Gaming), seven-time NBA Champion Robert Horry (Lakers Gaming), Executive Vice President of Operations for Hornets Sports & Entertainment James Jordan (Hornets Venom GT), Philadelphia 76ers President of Basketball Operations Daryl Morey (76ers GC) and former NBA player Quentin Richardson (Magic Gaming), as well as a live musical performance by hip-hop recording group ISO INDIES.

Scott Cole will return to host the 2021 NBA 2K League Draft alongside color commentator, esports host and broadcaster Malik Forte, NBA 2K League sideline reporter Autumn Johnson and sports host Ms.Basketball, who will serve as the Virtual VIP Lounge host. Additionally, sports and video game journalist Brian Mazique of Forbes.com and Heavy.com has joined the NBA 2K League as an insider and beat writer. Beginning with the 2021 Draft, Mazique will appear on NBA 2K League broadcasts throughout the season and will cover the league for NBA2KLeague.com.

First round selections and select additional players will be available to media via Zoom after their selection. Media interested in attending Zoom availabilities with draftees must RSVP to Devon Garden ([email protected]) by Saturday, March 13.