After months of try-outs, interviews, and scouting, the NBA 2K League’s 23 teams filled their rosters at the 2020 NBA 2K League Draft Saturday night in New York City. The four-round draft featured 68 selections from a pool of 229 players.
Shortly after T-Wolves Gaming won the 2019 NBA 2K League Championship in August, teams began prepping for this night. Organizations made roster decisions in the forms of player retentions and trades to prepare for the draft. The draft also gave expansion organizations Gen.G Tigers and Hornets Venom GT the first full rosters of their inaugural seasons.
Today, 68 lives will change…#NBA2KLeagueDraft delivered by @panerabread is HERE. pic.twitter.com/ccwB8GpB4q
— NBA 2K League (@NBA2KLeague) February 22, 2020
Out of the 229 draft-eligible players in the player pool, 147 were new players who earned their position through the NBA 2K League Combine. A total of 32 players were eligible through special invites from team and international tournaments. Players who were not retained last season made up the final 50 spots.
The 2020 NBA 2K League Draft order was determined through a draft lottery back in October.
We have selected @JackMascone first overall in the 2020 @NBA2KLeague draft. #RunTheDistrict pic.twitter.com/OZv67TzNR0
— Wizards District Gaming (@WizardsDG) February 22, 2020
NBA 2K League Draft highlights
The night kicked off with Wizards District Gaming on the clock and selecting the first draft pick of 2020. Washington chose Jack “JBM” Mascone as its top selection. Mascone was a community favorite to go first overall in many mock drafts. He earned his spot in the draft as one of the pro-am tournament winners.
With the 5️⃣th pick in the @NBA2KLeague draft we pick up @ShiftyKaii!
Welcome to #TigerNation we’re excited to have you!🐯🏀🎮 pic.twitter.com/t9qpLTNVRq
— GenGTigersSH (@GenGTigersSH) February 22, 2020
Gen.G chose Dhwan “ShiftyKaii” White as its first draft pick in franchise history with the fifth overall spot. Hornets Venom GT followed with the next pick by selecting Alexander “Expose” Whelan.
One upset of the night was Jamie “DirK” Diaz Ruiz, fan favorite and former NBA 2K League commentator, not being selected during the draft. He had his dream and transition into pro play fall short at the end of the night.
Words can’t describe the levels of disappointment I have right now. I did everything I could, I won tournaments, I made it through the combine, proved I was one of the best PF/C’s, while also giving marketing I could’ve given any team.
Today I saw a lot of true colors.
— Sad Boy Hours CEO (@Dirk_JDR) February 23, 2020
NBA 2K League Draft results
With the draft complete, the 23 teams now await the beginning of the 2020 season. The full results of the 2020 NBA 2K League Draft are below.
Round 1
1. Wizards District Gaming – JBM
2. Knicks Gaming – Duck
3. Kings Guard Gaming – Crush
4. Pacers Gaming – BOHIO-
5. Gen.G Tigers – ShiftyKaii
6. Hornets Venom GT – Expose
7. Lakers Gaming – SAV
8. Heat Check Gaming – Glennratty7688
9. NetsGC – Choc DF
10. Jazz Gaming – Splashy
11. Raptors Uprising GC – Timelycook
12. Bucks Gaming – Regg
13. Heat Check Gaming –Shiftay
14. Pistons GT – Charger
15. Knicks Gaming – CantGuardRob
16. Hawks Talon GC – Lee
17. Kings Guard Gaming – BASH
18. Hornets Venom GT – Snubby
19. Hornets Venom GT – Zae
20. Warriors Gaming Squad – Slaughter
21. Gen.G Tigers – Deadeye
22. T-Wolves Gaming – Big Saint
Round 2
23. Pacers Gaming – Jomar-12PR
24. Lakers Gaming – Tactuk
25. Knicks Gaming – BigRiM
26. Kings Guard Gaming – Nasthetic
27. Raptors Uprising GC – Wuan
28. Hornets Venom GT – Trap
29. NetsGC – Randomz
30. Wizards District Gaming – Just Awkward
31. Jazz Gaming – GetonMylevel41
32. Gen.G Tigers – x I Kno Killeyy
33. Bucks Gaming – Squidris
34. Gen.G Tigers – Gen
35. Magic Gaming – Profusion
36. Knicks Gaming – NIKO
37. Wizards District Gaming – Newdini
38. Hawks Talon GC – Kel
39. Mavs Gaming – Sleetys_
40. Blazer5 Gaming – Hood
41. Heat Check Gaming – Delusion_HD
42. Raptors Uprising GC – Reece
Round 3
43. Pistons GT – LYKaPRO
44. Lakers Gaming – Dweq
45. Grizz Gaming – Jrod
46. Hawks Talon GC – followTHEGOD
47. 76ers GC – USERPICK
48. Heat Check Gaming – King Peroxide
49. Heat Check Gaming – Deedz
50. NetsGC – Potts
51. Wizards District Gaming BRICH
52. Raptors Uprising GC – Legit 973
53. Bucks Gaming – TDJ
54. Grizz Gaming – Lav
Round 4
55. Hornets Venom GT – Gliz
56. Gen.G Tigers – Luck_Yi_Wesley
57. Jazz Gaming – Lord Beezus
58. Bucks Gaming – ChaChingSingh
59. Cavs Legion GC – JoshJay
60. Magic Gaming – djbama
61. Pacers Gaming – Bobby Buckets
62. Hawks Talon GC – Arkele
63. Mavs Gaming – Spartan
64. Celtics Crossover Gaming – TOOXCOOL
65. Warriors Gaming Squad – Matty
66. Blazer5 Gaming – OOC SLIM
67. 76ers GC – TuckerLocksUp
68. T-Wolves Gaming – Detoxys
Stay tuned to Daily Esports for analysis of the 2020 rosters and the latest from the NBA 2K League.
Published: Feb 23, 2020 02:48 am