eSports
HAWKS TALON GC TO OPEN 2024 NBA 2K LEAGUE SEASON TONIGHT
Hawks Talon Will Begin 3v3 Gameplay During SLAM OPEN; Opening with Matches Against Nets GC and Cavs Legion GC.
Hawks Talon GC, the official NBA 2K League affiliate of the Atlanta Hawks, will begin the 2024 NBA 2K League season later tonight on Wednesday, Feb. 28, with matchups against Nets Gaming Club (6 p.m.) and Cavs Legion Gaming Club (7:30 p.m.) in 3v3 gameplay. All games throughout the season can be found on the NBA 2K League’s Twitch and Youtube channels. To find the full Hawks Talon schedule during SLAM OPEN, visit website.
Hawks Talon GC returns to the virtual court behind last year’s first overall pick, ‘MDS’, and four newcomers. In this year’s NBA 2K League Draft, Hawks Talon selected power forward Tyler ‘BaitPickk’ Montague with the 11th overall pick and four-year veteran Christopher ‘Duck’ Charles with the 35th overall pick. Prior to the draft in September, the team also acquired Ludlow ‘LOW’ Samuels and Elijah ‘UNDERRATEDGOAT’ Spears in separate trades.
“We are really happy with the group of guys we have this year,” said Hawks Talon Head Coach Ismael ‘MAELO’ Diaz-Tolentino. “The team has been working hard to get ready for these matchups and we are confident that we will accomplish many great things together. We have solid vets in ‘LOW’, ‘UNDERRATEDGOAT’, and ‘Duck’. These are players that have won in this league and understand what it takes. Additionally, the evolution of ‘MDS’ and the incredible potential rookie ‘BaitPickk’ has shown makes me feel very confident in this team’s ability to succeed.”
All 3v3 tournaments will be played beginning on February 28 and will run through April 27. This will include the SLAM OPEN, SWITCH OPEN, STEAL OPEN, and the 3v3 NBA 2K League Playoffs presented by Google Pixel. The 3v3 format will include five groups of five with mixed conferences for group play, and double elimination bracket play. At the end of one week of group play in each tournament, all 25 NBA 2K League teams and seven community teams will advance to a 32-team double elimination bracket, which will take place over two weeks.
The STEAL OPEN is the last chance qualifier for 3v3 playoffs and will feature 15 teams plus one amateur team from an open qualifier. It will feature over two days of single-elimination bracket play, with the top two teams advancing to the 3v3 playoffs.
Following the conclusion of all 3v3 tournaments, 5v5 gameplay will commence, beginning on May 8 and running through June 29. The 5v5 format will follow last season’s traditional format with conferences and single elimination bracket play and will include THE TIPOFF, THE TURN, THE TICKET, and the 5v5 NBA 2K League Playoffs presented by Google Pixel. During two weeks of group play, teams will face off in smaller groups (three groups of six teams, one group of seven) within their conferences. After group play, the top two teams from each group will advance to in-person bracket play in Washington, D.C.
Similar to THE STEAL, THE TICKET is the last chance qualifier for 5v5 playoffs and will feature 15 teams over two days of single-elimination bracket play. The top team from each conference will then advance to the 5v5 playoffs.
To stay up to date on Hawks Talon Gaming Club, visit HawksTalonGC and follow the team’s social channels on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
The Global Esports Federation at its 16th Board Meeting approved the draft program for the Los Angeles 2026 Global Esports Games, to be held in December 2026. This follows the earlier announcement of Los Angeles as host city at a major ceremony hosted by Los Angeles Times Media Group Executive Chairman & CEO Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, and El Segundo Mayor Chris Pimentel—now marking a significant milestone on the road to GEF’s flagship event in the United States.
The GEF Board also unanimously elected Paul J. Foster as President of the Global Esports Federation. Paul, who is GEF Chief Executive Officer, was appointed President ad interim following the resignation of founding President Chris Chan in July, and now assumes the role of President & CEO through December 2027.
In addition, the GEF Board approved the establishment of frameworks to develop the esports ecosystem in the United States, anchored in Los Angeles. This initiative will strengthen the GEF’s connections with stakeholders worldwide and reinforce its mission to elevate esports for all.
The outcomes of GEF 16th Board Meeting reaffirm the GEF’s role as a convening platform, uniting athletes, publishers, Member Federations, and partners to power the future of esports globally.
- Team Vitality launches 2025 Alternate Jersey and an exclusive apparel collection, bringing a new level of energy and excitement for fans.
- The jersey, featuring a white base with red and blue accents, pays homage to the French flag and will be worn by all Team Vitality athletes at major esports events taking place in France later this year, including the Rocket League Worlds and EVO Nice.
- The Alternate Jersey is available today for €79.99, both online and at Team Vitality’s official Paris store.
Team Vitality is proud to unveil its new Alternate Jersey, accompanied by an exclusive apparel collection. This launch completes the club’s annual merchandise lineup, following the release of the black Pro Jersey earlier this year and the iconic yellow US-style Jersey worn during the Austin Major triumph.
This Alternate edition, featuring the French blue, white and red, honours Team Vitality’s Parisian roots while celebrating the major esports events set to close out the year in France.
The jersey will feature on the global stage with the Rocket League team at the World Championships from September 12 to 14.
PERFORMANCE MEETS LIFESTYLE
The Alternate Collection features a new, stylish jersey and a limited-edition clothing line that blends performance and lifestyle. As with every year, the Alternate Jersey is traditionally white, serving as a complement to the black Pro Jersey released earlier in the year.
Designed in collaboration with hummel, the jersey combines comfort and performance, offering a lightweight fit built to withstand the demands of competitive play. The accompanying exclusive apparel collection follows the same artistic vision, offering clothing and accessories designed for everyday wear. This brand-new lifestyle range, along with exclusive items, reflects the club’s distinctive style.
ALTERNATE JERSEY
- Team Vitality’s Alternate 2025 Jersey – €79.99
- Team Vitality’s Alternate 2025 Sleeves – €29.99
- Exclusive Vitality Alternate 2025 Pack – €79.99 (includes 1 Alternate Jersey and a complimentary pair of exclusive sleeves)
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LIFESTYLE COLLECTION
- Team Vitality Alternate 2025 Sweatshirt – €59.99
- Team Vitality Alternate 2025 T-Shirt – €29.99
- Team Vitality Alternate 2025 Jacket – €69.99
- Team Vitality Alternate 2025 Joggers – €54.99
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ACCESSORIES
- Team Vitality Alternate 2025 Scarf – €19.99
- Team Vitality Alternate 2025 Flag – €24.99
- Collector Cards (set of 3 or 8 trading cards) – €5.99
- Mouse Pad (small / large) – €19.99 / €29.99
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BASILISK, the global esports organization built to champion science, announced the signing of legendary fighting game competitor Justin ‘Jwong’ Wong as captain of its newly formed Fighting Game Community (FGC) Division. Wong will lead BASILISK’s entry into the FGC by recruiting players, developing community events, and creating FGC – science crossover content.
“Justin isn’t just a competitive genius – he is a cultural icon and humble leader within the FGC. We are incredibly proud to have him leading our FGC division and support the amazing work he already does for the community,” said BASILISK co-founder Christopher Bothur.
A nine-time Evolution Championship Series (Evo) Champion and Guinness World Record holder, Wong brings unparalleled FGC credibility and expertise to BASILISK. His reach extends across the entire FGC fandom of millions, and he was immortalized in Evo Moment #37 which has over 100 million views.
As Captain of BASILISK FGC, Wong will leverage BASILISK’s data analytics to scout and train the next generation of FGC pros.
“Math is super important to fighting games. I’m excited to join science’s esports team. I’m passionate about finding promising players with a positive mentality and shaping them into the next big thing. I want to see somebody else in the spotlight after me and help them reach their potential. If we can discover the next world champion, that would be fantastic,” said Wong upon joining BASILISK.
The signing comes on the heels of BASILISK’s new partnerships with The Planetary Society and Caltech’s Institute for Quantum Information and Matter (IQIM), announced in July. These collaborations create a powerful bridge between renowned scientific institutions and gamers, which Wong will amplify to his millions of followers and fans.
“Justin is a dream addition to our organization. He exemplifies the dedication and analytical capacity required to be an esports champion or great scientist,” added BASILISK co-founder Hans Kassier.
Wong becomes the second “GOAT” (Greatest of All Time) to join BASILISK, alongside Finnish StarCraft 2 legend Joona “Serral” Sotala, who just captured the SC2 Esports World Cup Championship in July 2025. The signing also creates opportunities for cross-over content with BASILISK’s diverse roster, including chess Grandmaster Vincent Keymer and award-winning science communicator Kyle Hill, who brings over 2.5 million followers and a vast network of science enthusiasts to the organization.
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