Caesar Martinez

HAWKS TALON GC HEADED TO NBA2KL CHAMPIONSHIPS FOR FIRST TIME IN FRANCHISE HISTORY

Published

4 years ago

August 17, 2022

For the first time in franchise history, Hawks Talon Gaming will participate in the NBA2KL 3v3 Championships in Indianapolis this week. Hawks Talon Gaming has secured the fourth seed in the Eastern conference and will face-off with 76ers GC in the first round on Thursday, August 18 at 8 p.m. ET.

“We are obviously thrilled that all our hard work this season has earned us a spot in the playoffs,” said Hawks Talon Gaming Head Coach Ismael Diaz-Tolentino. “It is an amazing step forward for our culture and our team, but we all believe that we can win it all this year and that is our ultimate goal.”

Overall during the regular season, Hawks Talon Gaming advanced to bracket play in three out of four tournaments, including three consecutively following THE TIPOFF Powered by AT&T. The team’s point guard, Caesar Martinez (CEEZ), was also named NBA 2K League Player of the Week twice (May 11, July 26) – making him the only player in the league this season to earn the award twice. His 27.2 points per game led the entire league during THE TURN.

“Thinking about this season, it’s been crazy to see how far we’ve come and how much we’ve grown,” said Martinez. “But that’s not enough for us. We want to win that ring and get that money and we all can’t wait to get on that stage on Thursday night.”

The NBA2KL 3v3 Championships begin with first round action on Wednesday and Thursday night, followed by quarterfinals matchups on Friday. All first round and quarterfinals matchups are best-of-five. Saturday will conclude the 3v3 Championships with the semifinals in a best-of-five format and the finals in a best-of-seven format.

To stay up to date on Hawks Talon Gaming Club, visit HawksTalonGC.gg and follow the team’s social channels on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

Atlanta Hawks

HAWKS TALON GC PROTECTS CEEZ AND HOTSHOT FROM NBA 2K LEAGUE EXPANSION DRAFT

Published

4 years ago

October 31, 2022

GamingAmericas.com

Hawks Talon GC, the official NBA 2K League affiliate of the Atlanta Hawks, today announced that they have protected Caesar Martinez (CEEZ) and Juan Gonzalez (HOTSHOT) from the upcoming NBA 2K League Expansion Draft, set to take place on Nov. 10. All protected players are ineligible to be selected in the expansion draft.

“Protecting CEEZ and HOTSHOT helps us maintain the anchors of our team coming into Season Six,” said Hawks Talon GC Director of Esports Wesley Acuff. “We are very excited with the prospect of building around them and continuing the momentum we gained last season.”

CEEZ, Hawks Talon’s 2021 first-round draft pick, returns to Hawks Talon Gaming for his third season as the only NBA 2K League player to win the league’s Player of the Week award twice last season. His 27.2 points per game led the entire league during THE TURN. HOTSHOT was acquired via a trade with Heat Check Gaming prior to Season Five and played the center position for Hawks Talon Gaming. A five-year veteran of the league, HOTSHOT’s skills on both ends of the floor were instrumental in helping to lead Hawks Talon Gaming to its most successful year, advancing to bracket play in three of the four regular season tournaments.

During the expansion draft, held on Nov. 10, the newly announced NBL Oz Gaming (Australia) will select players for their inaugural season. In the weeks following the expansion draft, each of the 24 teams that competed in 2022 will have the opportunity to retain additional players. Teams will retain players by forfeiting draft picks in the 2023 Draft. Subject to NBA 2K League rules and satisfaction of all applicable requirements, all players who are not retained will be automatically eligible for the 2023 Draft.

Whether Hawks Talon does or does not have a player selected in the expansion draft, the team can retain a first additional player by forfeiting a third-round draft pick and can retain a second additional player by forfeiting a second-round draft pick. Hawks Talon will retain their first overall pick via winning the recent draft lottery in the upcoming 2023 NBA 2K League Draft.