eSports
HAWKS TALON GC PROTECTS CEEZ AND HOTSHOT FROM NBA 2K LEAGUE EXPANSION DRAFT
![](https://gamingamericas.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/HAWKS-TALON-GC-PROTECTS-CEEZ-AND-HOTSHOT-FROM-NBA-2K-LEAGUE-EXPANSION-DRAFT.jpg)
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.
Compliance Updates
PandaScore secures their first US betting license, by entering Colorado
![](https://gamingamericas.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/PandaScore-secures-their-first-US-betting-license-by-entering-Colorado_20240723_130839_0000.png)
After a meticulous and measured research process in consultation with the needs of its clients, PandaScore has acquired a license to operate in the US state of Colorado.
Through the license, PandaScore has signalled its intentions in the US market: forging a supplier-led path to esports betting success in the US. Existing PandaScore clients can now enter the Colorado market, scale up their esports offering and build their future audience in the state’s esports-friendly regulatory framework.
Future clients can also be confident that working with PandaScore supports their growth strategy in the lucrative US market. The state’s esports-friendly regulatory framework serves as a solid foundation to cultivate an esports audience and take advantage of PandaScore’s innovative, revenue-driving products such as BetBuilder, player props and microbetting.
PandaScore selected Colorado as its first point of entry into US licensing thanks to the state’s large catalogue of esports titles and competitions that are eligible for regular betting, and the wide range of markets that can be offered. Additionally, the state’s flexible and innovation-friendly licensing regime makes it a strong market for PandaScore and its clients.
Securing the license also serves as proof of concept for the French esports supplier, PandaScore Legal Counsel Alexis Brunet noted that “securing the Colorado license is a strong signal of our intentions in the US and are serious about its potential. Esports in the United States is a fast-evolving regulatory environment, but it’s only going in one direction: expansion. We intend to provide our best-in-class products and services to our customers no matter where they are, and service one of the largest markets in the world.”
For PandaScore CEO Flavien Guillocheau, entry into Colorado in the US market was the natural next step in the company’s client-first, service-oriented approach: “For esports to succeed in the US, suppliers must lead from the front. Suppliers need to address the uncertainty around regulation which has held back operator investment and thus growth of the vertical.
“We’ve proven we know the market, get a license efficiently and do it in a way that puts operators first. We’re confident that if our clients are seeking entry into a given market, we can be completely straight with them, show them the viable pathway to success, and create the foundation and access they need to fully harness the potential of esports in one of its biggest consumer markets.”
eSports
the*gamehers and Thunderpick Extend Partnership into 2025
![the*gamehers and Thunderpick Extend Partnership into 2025](https://gamingamericas.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/thegamehers-and-Thunderpick.png)
Leading esports brand kick off a year of empowering women gamers, exclusive content, and tournaments
the*gamehers, the women-focused community gaming platform, and Thunderpick, the leading online esports betting platform and host of Thunderpick World Championship today announced the continuation of their partnership into 2025. The collaboration aims to empower the gaming community, specifically focusing on women and femme-identifying gamers and content creators, through an immersive 12-month campaign.
The campaign will feature a content series highlighting women in gaming through brand features, ambassador Twitch streams, exclusive ambassador content, and a biannual tournament that includes behind-the-scenes footage from the ambassador team. Thunderpick and the*gamehers recently hosted the successful femme-focused CS2 Wildcard Tournament in May of this year in Atlanta. More exciting details will be unveiled as the partnership develops.
“This partnership is the perfect way to promote women’s empowerment in esports and the overall gaming community, and we are excited to have the opportunity to partner with a company that has similar goals for women’s inclusion in gaming,” said Allie Young, President of the*gamehers.
“Thunderpick is committed to fostering diversity and inclusion within the esports community,” said Kelly Sanders, Head of Strategy at Thunderpick. “Our extended partnership with the*gamehers underscores our dedication to empowering women gamers and supporting femme-led esports organizations. We believe that in collaboration with the*gamehers we can not only better highlight the incredible talent of women in gaming but also inspire the next generation of gamers to pursue their passions without boundaries.”
eSports
HAWKS TALON GC HOSTS PANEL, NBA 2K TOURNAMENT AT WADE WALKER PARK FAMILY YMCA ESPORTS SUMMER CAMP
![](https://gamingamericas.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/HAWKS-TALON-GC-HOSTS-PANEL-NBA-2K-TOURNAMENT-AT-WADE-WALKER-PARK-FAMILY-YM_20240711_135452_0000.png)
Hawks Talon GC, the official NBA 2K League affiliate of the Atlanta Hawks, hosted a panel and bracket style tournament on Wednesday at the Wade Walker Park Family YMCA as part of the YMCA of Metro Atlanta’s Esports summer camp.
Director of Marketing and Operations, Affiliate Leagues, Wesley Acuff, Hawks Talon GC Head Coach, Ismael ‘MAELO’ Diaz Tolentino, and Hawks Talon GC players Mark David “MDS” Smith, Ludlow “LOW” Samuels and Elijah “Underratedgoat” Spears spoke to 26 camp participants about their journey to the NBA 2K League, and the uniqueness and innerworkings of the League.
“Being able to work with the YMCA of Metro Atlanta and help with their Esports camp was extremely rewarding for our group to be a part of,” said Janice Koon, Vice President of G League, and NBA 2K League Operations for the Atlanta Hawks. “Our Hawks Talon Gaming Club always relish the opportunity to be able to interact with the young kids in our area, and it was a joy for them to talk to and play 2K with the campers this morning.”
After the panel, the group of campers split up into 13 teams to face off head-to-head in a NBA 2K 2v2, single elimination bracket tournament.
In addition to the tournament, the campers were able to utilize another PlayStation within the Wade Walker Family YMCA Esports lab and jump into a 2K game with the official NBA 2K League settings, while utilizing Hawks Talon GC player avatars. The campers were able to play by the official NBA 2K League rules and game settings to experience the authentic feel of being a professional NBA 2K player.
At the end of the tournament, the first, second, and third place teams received Hawks Talon Gaming Club t-shirts and sweatshirts, while all campers will be gifted an official Hawks Talon Gaming Club jersey with the YMCA patch.
“Our Y Esports summer camps help children build self-confidence, practice sportsmanship and gain news skills, while connecting with other gamers,” said Lorna Loh, executive director of the Wade Walker Park Family YMCA. “We greatly appreciate Hawks Talon GC’s partnership and commitment to providing our Y kids with an informative, fun panel about the league and interactive opportunities to improve their skills.”
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