eSports
HAWKS TALON GC INVITES MEDIA TO NBA 2K LEAGUE DRAFT ROOM
![HAWKS TALON GC INVITES MEDIA TO NBA 2K LEAGUE DRAFT ROOM](https://gamingamericas.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/HAWKS-TALON-GAMING-TRADE-JOHN-‘WITNESS-MUSHABEN-FOR-2023-DRAFT-PICK.jpg)
Hawks Talon GC Possesses the No. 1 Overall Pick of the 2023 NBA 2K League Draft
WHAT:
The 2023 NBA 2K League Draft is set for Thursday, Jan. 26, and Hawks Talon GC will be selecting first overall for the first time in franchise history. Hawks Talon GC will have three selections in the draft: the first overall pick, the 31st overall pick, as well as Wizard District’s pick (37th overall), which was acquired in a trade. Media will be allowed access to be in the room for the first overall selection and capture instant reactions from Hawks Talon’s front office. The first overall selection will also be made available for interview remotely upon being selected.
WHO:
Wesley Acuff, Hawks Talon GC Director of Esports
Player Selected First Overall
Hawks Talon Gaming, the NBA 2K League Affiliate of the Atlanta Hawks
WHERE:
The Lab presented by Diggi Games by Georgia Lottery
1 State Farm Dr, Atlanta, GA, 30303
WHEN:
The NBA 2K League Draft is set to begin at 8 p.m. ET, but media are invited to arrive beforehand to speak with Director of Esports Wesley Acuff and Head Coach Ismael Diaz-Tolentino.
MORE INFORMATION:
ATLANTA – The 2023 NBA 2K League Draft is set for Thursday, Jan. 26, and Hawks Talon GC will be selecting first overall for the first time in franchise history. Hawks Talon GC will have three selections in the draft: the first overall pick, the 31st overall pick, as well as Wizard District’s pick (37th overall) acquired in a trade.
The 2023 NBA 2K League Draft pool will consist of players who win draft eligibility as part of the “NBA 2K League Draft Prospect Series,” “Sony Scouting Grounds” tournaments, unretained players from the 2022 season, select competitors in the NBA 2K League’s APAC, Australian and European Invitationals, and other high-performing players in the 2K community as determined by league and team officials. More than 100,000 people tried out to join the NBA 2K League.
On October 13, 2022, Hawks Talon GC won the NBA 2K League Draft Lottery and the right to the first overall pick in the 2023 NBA 2K League Draft. Entering the day, Hawks Talon held 2.1 percent odds of winning the first pick, the second-to-worst odds of any team in the lottery.
Last season, Hawks Talon GC advanced to bracket play in three out of four regular season 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 last season to earn the award twice. His 27.2 points per game led the entire league during THE TURN. That culminated in the team’s first postseason berth in team history in Ismael Diaz-Tolentino’s first season as head coach.
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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