eSports
Hawks Talon GC To Retain BP (Michael Diaz-Cruz), KEL (Mykel Wilson) and Lee Lamb for 2021 Season

2019 MVP Award Finalist, Member of 2020 NBA 2K League All-Rookie Team and One of League’s Premiere Secondary Ballhandlers Will Return to Hawks Talon Next Season
Hawks Talon Gaming Club, the official NBA 2K League affiliate of the Atlanta Hawks, today announced that they will retain both BP (Michael Diaz-Cruz), KEL (Mykel Wilson) and LEE (Lee Lamb) for the upcoming 2021 NBA 2K League Season. At the end of each season, teams are required to retain at least two players. If a team decides to retain a third player, they will lose their 2021 fourth-round draft pick. Hawks Talon finished with a 7-9 record this past season, just shy of making the playoffs. BP led the team in both points per game (26.4) and assists per game (7.8), LEE led the team in both rebounds per game (12.3) and blocks per game (2.4) and KEL finished second on the team in points per game (16.6).
“We are thrilled to have BP, KEL and LEE return to Hawks Talon next season,” said Hawks Talon GC Team Manager and Head Coach Wesley Acuff. “This past season, both players showed their elite abilities at their respective positions, and we are confident that they will continue to grow and be key contributors as we create a championship culture.”
In 2020, Hawks Talon’s BP was the team’s primary ballhandler and continued to establish himself as one of the league’s elite playmakers after finishing 14th in the league in points per game (26.4) and eighth in the league in assists per game (7.8). During the 2019 campaign, BP finished as a finalist for both the Intel Performance NBA 2K League MVP Award as well as the NBA 2K League Rookie of the Year. Hawks Talon GC acquired BP in a 2019 offseason trade with Kings Guard Gaming, the official NBA 2K League affiliate of the Sacramento Kings.
After being drafted with Hawks Talon’s 2020 first-round (16th overall) selection, LEE was named to the 2020 NBA 2K League All-Rookie Team. During the 2020 season, he set the franchise mark with 20 double-double single-game performances. Additionally, he finished ranked 11th in the entire league in both average rebounds per game (12.3) and blocks per game (2.4).
In the 2020 Draft, Hawks Talon selected Atlanta’s own KEL with their second-round (38th overall) selection. Throughout the 2020 season, KEL stood out in a role as the team’s secondary ballhandler and finished fourth among shooting guards in the entire 2K League in average points per game (16.6). In 2019, he played for both Magic Gaming, the official affiliate of the Orlando Magic, and Grizz Gaming, the official affiliate of the Memphis Grizzlies.
As a result of retaining three players, Hawks Talon will have their original first-round, second-round and third-round draft picks in the upcoming 2021 NBA 2K League Draft.
eSports
Esportes Gaming Brasil certified as Great Place To Work®

Esportes Gaming Brasil, the owner of Onabet and Esportes da Sorte, has been certified as a Great Place To Work®. The recognition – a global reference in people management and organizational climate – highlights the company’s efforts in promoting a positive environment, with development, well-being and inclusion initiatives aligned with the needs of its approximately 600 employees.
The GPTW survey assesses employee perceptions across five pillars – credibility, respect, impartiality, pride and camaraderie. For Sophia Serak, Director of People, participating in the assessment was essential to identify strengths and opportunities for improvement. “We want to be more than a workplace: we’ve created a framework for everyone to develop and feel valued. The certificate proves we are on the right path and motivates us to evolve further”, says the executive.
More than just a welcoming environment, Grupo Esportes Gaming Brasil has built a space where everyone has the freedom to be themselves, clarity about where they can go, and real support to grow. An environment where values such as trust, listening, and collaboration are at the heart of decisions — from the selection process to the choice of leaders.
In 2024, the group accelerated its mission to strengthen leadership, with training, assessments linked to values and programs offering regular management training. More than 60 leaders participated in development paths and initiatives such as “Impulso EGB” — an educational incentive program that subsidizes technical courses and specializations for employees.
Trust is the foundation of Esportes Gaming Brasil’s culture. It manifests itself in small gestures, spontaneous feedback, the freedom to propose new ideas and the construction of real bonds between people. The company invests in inclusive communication, active listening and collective actions that strengthen the sense of belonging — such as themed parties, recognition rituals and direct chats with leadership.
Compliance Updates
Esportes Gaming Brasil unveils Ana Carolina Luna Maçães as Compliance Manager to reinforce regulatory commitment

Esportes Gaming Brasil, the owner of Onabet and Esportes da Sorte, has unveiled Ana Carolina Luna Maçães as its new Compliance Manager. The hire reinforces the company’s commitment to transparency, integrity, and good governance in Brazil’s evolving betting market.
Esportes Gaming Brasil’s new Head of Compliance, Ana Carolina Luna Maçães, commented: “Esportes Gaming Brasil has set a high standard in Brazil’s betting market with its total commitment to integrity, governance, and responsible gaming. It’s a privilege to join this exceptional team as Compliance Manager. My role is to reinforce our culture of compliance, navigating us through complex regulatory frameworks across multiple jurisdictions with as little friction as possible. Our mission is to deliver secure, transparent, and competitive services for our partners and clients.”
A seasoned legal and compliance professional who has spent time at NSX Brasil, Maçães joins with expertise in financial crime prevention, responsible gambling, and corporate ethics. She has earned a CPC-A certification from LEC (Legal, Ethics & Compliance), and she significantly strengthens the group’s in-house compliance work.
Esportes Gaming Brasil CEO Darwin Filho, added: “It’s more than just complying with and supporting regulations. Esportes Gaming Brasil has been actively leading the process of maturing the betting sector in the country. Our commitment to governance has been an essential part of our business model since the beginning. The arrival of Ana Carolina represents a strategic reinforcement, further strengthening the culture of compliance that has always guided the company.”
Esportes Gaming Brasil is proud to be one of the Brazilian-licensed operators under the SPA/MF framework and is renowned for impactful responsible gambling measures, including self-exclusion tools, behaviour monitoring, and an addiction support network.
With deep relationships to national sport and culture through major football sponsorships and experiential collaborations, and a growing digital presence via Onabet, the group is committed to shaping a safe, sustainable, and responsible future for Brazil’s gaming sector.
eSports
Emmy-Winning Director R.J. Cutler’s Docuseries Esports World Cup: Level Up Premieres June 6 on Prime Video

Prime Video, one of the leading entertainment destinations, will premiere the five-part documentary Esports World Cup: Level Up on June 6, with new episodes released weekly. Directed by Emmy-winning filmmaker R.J. Cutler (Billie Eilish: The World’s a Little Blurry, Elton John: Never Too Late and Martha), the series goes behind-the-scenes of the inaugural Esports World Cup (EWC) in 2024 — a defining moment in global esports, where over $60 million in prize money ignited a high-stakes, multinational battle to crown the world’s top esports Club.
The series is produced by This Machine (a part of Sony Pictures Television), with R.J. Cutler directing, John Dorsey serving as showrunner, and Jane Cha Cutler, Trevor Smith, Elise Pearlstein and Mark Blatty executive producing. Level Up will premiere exclusively on Prime Video in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide.
Esports World Cup: Level Up offers a rare look inside a global competition that’s redefining what it means to be a champion for a new generation of athletes and fans. R.J. Cutler and his team of expert storytellers embedded themselves within the eight-week tournament – watched by over 500 million fans globally – to uncover the personal sacrifices, rivalries and stakes driving the action.
Shot in verité style, the series combines intimate home visits from around the world and on-the-ground coverage from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. It follows a wide cast of characters – from Club CEOs orchestrating million-dollar strategies to rising stars chasing life-changing wins – while capturing the pulse of elite esports competition.
“What drew me to the Esports World Cup was the compelling human stories unfolding within this high-stakes arena. Level Up isn’t just about the incredible competition and prize money; it’s about the dedication, the passion, and the sheer will of these athletes and teams pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. Under high pressure, we discover the true character of the competitors who vie for $60 million, but who also expose their humanity in the process,” said Cutler.
At the heart of Level Up is the “EWC Club Championship,” an unprecedented, multi-title tournament format where Clubs compete across more than 20 games, earning points toward a single leaderboard. Every match, every point, reshapes the race for global dominance. With the highest prize pool in esports history on the line, the EWC is not just a tournament – it’s a proving ground for the next generation of sports icons.
“A win might make the headlines — but the real story is the people behind it. Level Up dives into the human side of esports: the pressure, the ambition, the sacrifices. It’s about what it really takes to compete at the highest level — and why it matters. R.J. is the best at bringing those stories to life, and this one captures the heart of what we’re building,” said Ralf Reichert, CEO of the Esports World Cup Foundation.
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