Wade Walker Family YMCA Partners with Atlanta Hawks’ Esports Club to Host NBA 2K Tournament
Wade Walker Family YMCA and Hawks Talon GC, the official NBA 2K League affiliate of the Atlanta Hawks, hosted a panel and NBA 2K bracket-style tournament on July, 10 for 26 summer campers as part of the Y’s esports summer camp.
Though the highlight of the event was the summer campers getting to test their competitive gaming skills in 2v2 games, the youths took part in a Q&A and meet and greet session with members of the Hawks Talon GC before the tournament. The team spoke to summer campers about their journey to the NBA 2K League, and the uniqueness and inner workings of the league.
“We practice 6 or 7 hours a day, six days a week,” said Ismael ‘MAELO’ Diaz Tolentino, Hawks Talon GC Head Coach. “It is just like the professional basketball team.”
Wesley Acuff, Director of Marketing and Operations, Affiliate Leagues, said 2K League players are often scouted by teams when youths are playing in various underground leagues. Once the players turn 18, the 2K teams can recruit and draft them.
“If you don’t play, there are so many other opportunities besides gaming in this industry,” said Acuff.
After the panel, the campers split up into 13 teams to face off head-to-head in an NBA 2K 2v2, single elimination bracket tournament. In addition to the tournament, the campers used another PlayStation within Wade Walker’s esports lab and jumped into a 2K game with the official NBA 2K League settings, while using Hawks Talon GC player avatars. The campers played 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, all campers were gifted an official Hawks Talon Gaming Club jersey with the YMCA patch, while the first, second, and third-place teams received additional Hawks Talon gear.
The Y offers esports clubs and summer camps at select branches including Wade Walker. Participants only play against other Y gamers in the league and a Y instructor is always in the game with the participants.
“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, Wade Walker Park Family Y. “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.