Table of Contents Table of Contents Table of Contents
Grizz Gaming Overview Overview ...... 3 Tournament Play ...... 3 Overview Playoffs/Finals ...... 3
Players Mehyar Ahmed-Hassan, AuthenticAfrican ...... 4 Joshua Michael McHatten, Spartxn ...... 4 Players Kwan Niblack Jr., followTHEGOD ...... 5 Justin Rodriguez, Jrod ...... 5 Kory Taylor, Chess ...... 5 Zach Vandivier, Vandi ...... 6 Schedules Schedules 2021 NBA 2K League Schedule ...... 7 2021 Grizz Gaming Schedule ...... 7 FAQ 2K League FAQ ...... 8–9
Logos NBA 2K League Logo ...... 10
Grizz Gaming Logos ...... 11 Logos
Grizz Gaming Practice Facility & Jerseys ...... 12-13
NBA 2K League Directory & Events
NBA 2K League Directory ...... 14 & Jerseys NBA 2K Timeline of Events ...... 14 Practice Facility
Grizz Gaming & Business Operations Robert Pera, Controlling Owner ...... 16 & Events Jason Wexler, President of the Memphis Grizzlies ...... 16 Directory John Pugliese, Vice President of Brand ...... 17 Lang Whitaker, Grizz Gaming General Manager ...... 17
2020 Grizz Gaming Season ...... 19-23 Executives
Credits Editor – Corey Moore Associate Editors – Jason Wallace, Ross Wooden, Avery Franklin Graphics – David Thompson, Tyler Earles Operations Special Thanks – NBA 2K League, Joe Murphy/NBAE, Getty Images 2020 Season 2020
2 GRIZZ GAMING OVERVIEW GRIZZ GAMING OVERVIEW GRIZZ GAMING OVERVIEW
Overview
The 16-week season will begin Wednesday, May 19 with THE TIPOFF and will conclude Saturday, Sept. 4 with the 2021 NBA 2K League Finals. Overview For the first time in league history, teams will be split into two conferences, the Eastern Conference (12 teams) and Western Conference (11 teams). Grizz Gaming will participate in the Eastern Conference during the 2021 season. For the complete 2021 schedule, click here.
All regular-season games will take place at the Grizz Gaming studio inside FedExForum, and will be streamed live on the NBA 2K League’s Twitch and YouTube channels, in addition to select games airing live on ESPN platforms. Weekly regular-season matchups will shift to the Players following times for the 2021 season: Wednesdays from 7-10 p.m. ET, Thursdays-Saturdays from 7-11 p.m. ET.
All 23 teams will have three bye weeks during the season, along with a league-wide bye week from June 30 – July 3. Teams will play a total of 14 regular-season matchups, comprising of 28 total games (two games per matchup). . Schedules
Tournament Play
THE TIPOFF, THE TURN, and THE TICKET are the three tournaments that feature all 23 teams competing for banners that link together to FAQ form THE BANNER CHAIN powered by AT&T. THE BANNER CHAIN tournaments staggered throughout the season help generate rivalries as teams compete for prize pools and two guaranteed spots in the playoffs for the winners of the Eastern and Western Conference brackets of the final tournament, THE TICKET.
Tournament results will not count toward a team’s 28-game regular-season record but will serve as a tiebreaker for the playoffs. Logos THE TIPOFF tournament will have a prize pool of $160,000. THE TURN and THE TICKET will each feature a prize pool of $260,000.
Playoffs/Finals & Jerseys Practice Facility The 2021 NBA 2K League Playoffs will tip off Thursday, August 26 and will take place over three days of gameplay. Each playoff round will be a best-of-three series. The ten teams with the best regular-season records and the two winners of THE TICKET are guaranteed playoff spots. The playoffs will culminate with the 2021 NBA 2K League Finals on Saturday, Sept. 4, and the Finals will be a best-of-five series. & Events Directory The 2019 NBA 2K League Playoffs will have a total prize pool of $1,080,000, with the NBA 2K League champions receiving $450,000 from that pool. Executives Operations 2020 Season 2020
3 PLAYERS PLAYERS PLAYERS
Mehyar Ahmed-Hassan / AuthenticAfrican
Gamertag: AuthenticAfrican Overview Primary Position: Center Born: July 3, 1993 (Age 23) Hometown: Toronto, Ontario Draft: 20th overall (second round) of the 2018 NBA 2K League Draft (Retained) Players 2020 Season: Appeared in 41 games in his third season with Grizz Gaming holding averages of 13.1 points, 1.3 rebounds and 2.2 steals while shooting 69.7.1 percent from the field and 50.8 percent from 3-point range… Ranked in the top-20 of the NBA 2K League with 84 steals… Scored a regular season-high 27 points on 10-of-11 shooting in a win over Knicks
Gaming on June 24… Averaged 11.1 points per game in tournament play. Schedules
Career/Other Information: Born July 3, 1993… Toronto, Ontario native… Shattered league record in Season 1 with 84 points (40-55 FG) on July 27 against 76ers GC… Has been
playing since 2K11… Participated in $250K tournament in 2K16 as part of Notorious… FAQ Member of Peerless Proficiency since 2K17 with Grizz Gaming’s own Universal Phenom as well as onethroughfive and Phenom_3… Previously employed by the Toronto District School Board… Sponsors three kids from Africa via World Vision Canada… Lists Drake as his favorite musical artist, Get Out as favorite movie, LeBron James as his favorite NBA player, Stranger
Things as his favorite TV show and Injustice 2 as his favorite non-sports video game… Logos
Josh McHatten / Spartxn & Jerseys Practice Facility Gamertag: Spartxn Primary Position: Power Forward Born: August 22, 1997 (Age 23) & Events
Hometown: Milwaukee, Wisconsin Directory Draft: 63rd overall (fourth round) of the 2020 NBA 2K League Draft (Mavs Gaming) 14th overall (first round) of the 2021 NBA 2K League Draft (Grizz Gaming)
2020 Season: Appeared in 38 games with Mavs Gaming holding averages of 7.5 points,
4.4 rebounds and 2.0 assists while shooting 44.1 percent from the field and 45.5 percent Executives from 3-point range… McHatten scored a season-high 18 points to go with two rebounds and three assists in a win over Hornets Venom GT on May 20, 2020… Scored in double- figures 10 times
Career/Other Information: Born August 22, 1997… From Milwaukee, Wis… His gamertag is Operations named after the Roman Soldiers… Before joining the NBA 2K league he was a professional musician… Has been playing since 2K15… Favorite non-sports video game is Halo… Enjoys playing basketball in his spare time… Has three siblings… Favorite super hero is Iron Man… Favorite movie is Remember the Titans… Enjoys watching The 100, Stranger Things and
Narcos…Played college basketball for three years. Season 2020 Operations
4 PLAYERS PLAYERS PLAYERS
Kwan Niblack Jr. / followTHEGOD
Gamertag: followTHEGOD Primary Position: Small Forward Overview Born: April 24, 1996 (Age 25) Hometown: Bronx, New York Draft: 46th overall (third round) of the 2020 NBA 2K League Draft (Hawks Talon GC)
32nd overall (second round) of the 2021 NBA 2K League Draft (Grizz Gaming) Players
2020 Season: Started 25 games for Hawks Talon GC averaging 7.8 points, 1.3 steals and 1.2 assists while shooting 60.4 percent from the field and and 62.6 percent from 3-point range… Scored a career-high 21 points while knocking down 7-of-8 3-point attempts in a
win over T-Wolves Gaming on May 7, 2020… Scored in double-figures nine times… Ranked Schedules third in the NBA 2K league in effective field goal percentage (.860)… His 3.86 assist-to- turnover ratio ranked seventh in league.
Career/Other Information: Born April 23, 1996… From the Bronx, N.Y.… Has been playing FAQ since 2K10… Attended Hostos-Lincoln Academy of Science in Bronx, N.Y… Majored in sport management at SUNY Brockport and expected to graduate this year… His favorite artist is Drake... Chris Paul is his favorite athlete….Favorite movie is Toy Story 3… His favorite meal is Spaghetti… Likes to wear the Yeezy Boost 700 Wave Runner shoe. Logos
Justin Rodriguez / Jrod
Gamertag: Jrod & Jerseys
Primary Position: Shooting Guard Practice Facility Born: August 14, 1999 (Age 21) Hometown: New York, New York Draft: 27th overall (second round) in the 2019 NBA 2K League Draft (Grizz Gaming) & Events 45th overall (third round) in the 2020 NBA 2K League Draft (Grizz Gaming) Directory
2020 Season: Appeared in 40 games for Grizz Gaming holding averages of 8.1 points, 1.3 assists and 1.1 steals while shooting 45.6 percent from the field and 47.6 percent from 3-point range… Scored a season-high 31 points while knocking down seven 3-pointers
in a win over Lakers gaming on May 28, 2020… Scored in double-figures 13 times. Executives
Career/Other Information: Born August 14, 1999… From New York, N.Y.… Previously at New Design High School… Has been playing competitively since 2K17 and won multiple competitive Pro-Am Tournaments… Lists Big Sean as his favorite musical artist, Paid In Full as his favorite movie, Kevin Durant as his favorite athlete, Prison Break as his favorite TV Operations show and Call of Duty has his favorite non-sports video game. 2020 Season 2020 Operations
5 PLAYERS PLAYERS PLAYERS
Kory Taylor / Chess
Gamertag: Chess Primary Position: Shooting Guard Overview Born: September 30, 1998 (Age 22) Hometown: Detroit, Michigan Draft: Added to Nets GC via the available player pool in 2020
16th overall (first round) in the 2021 NBA 2K League Draft (Grizz Gaming) Players
2020 Season: Started 29 games for Nets GC last season holding averages of 7.2 points, 2.1 assists and 1.3 steals per game… Taylor shot 42.2 percent from the field and 48.4 percent from 3-point range in 2020… Scored a career-high 21 points in a win over Heat
Check Gaming on June 3, 2020… Scored in double-figures eight times, including a streak Schedules of four consecutive games from June 2-3 while winning all four games.
Career/Other Information: Born on September 30, 1998… From Detroit, Mich… Has been
playing 2K since around the age of eight years old… Prior to joining the NBA 2K League FAQ he worked as a security guard… His favorite non-sports video game is Call of Duty… Has three siblings… His favorite food is broccoli… Logos Zach Vandivier / Vandi
Gamertag: Vandi Primary Position: Point Guard
Born: October 12, 1999 (Age 21) & Jerseys Hometown: Aurora, Ohio Practice Facility Draft: Seventh overall (first round) in the 2019 NBA 2K League Draft (retained)
2020 Season: Started all 41 games for Grizz Gaming averaging 30.1 points, 7.7 assists & Events and 2.1 steals while shooting 55.7 percent from the field and 46.7 percent from 3 point Directory range… Scored a career-high 54 points to go with seven assists and four steals in a 90-69 series-clinching win over Nets GC on July 15, 2020… Scored at least 30 points in 22 of Grizz Gaming’s 39 games… His 30.9 points per game was good for eight-best in the 2K League in 2020 and 11th-best in NBA 2K League history. Executives
Career/Other Information: Born October 12, 1999… From Aurora, Ohio… Has played 2K since 2K10 and competitively for the last three years… Lists J. Cole as his favorite musical artist… Also lists Avengers as his favorite movie, Kyrie Irving as his favorite NBA player, “Game of Thrones” as his favorite TV show and Call of Duty as his non-sports video game of choice. Operations 2020 Season 2020 Operations
6 SCHEDULES SCHEDULES SCHEDULES
2021 NBA 2K League Schedule
May 19-22 THE TIPOFF Powered by AT&T Overview May 26-29 Regular Season - Week 1 June 2-5 Regular Season - Week 2 June 9-12 Regular Season - Week 3 June 16-19 Regular Season - Week 4 June 23-26 Regular Season - Week 4 Players June 30-July 3 Bye Week July 7-10 Regular Season - Week 6 July 14-17 THE TURN Powered by AT&T July 21-24 Regular Season - Week 7 July 28-31 Regular Season - Week 8 Schedules August 4-7 Regular Season - Week 9 August 11-14 Regular Season - Week 10 August 19-21 THE TICKET Powered by AT&T August 26-28 NBA 2K League Playoffs Delivered by DoorDash FAQ September 4 NBA 2K League Finals Delivered by DoorDash Logos 2021 Grizz Gaming Schedule (All game times are listed as Central Time Zone) * Tournament Play & Jerseys
May 19-22 THE TIPOFF* 8 p.m. Practice Facility Friday, May 28 Heat Check Gaming 8 p.m. Saturday, May 29 Hawks Talon 8 p.m. Saturday, June 5 Bucks Gaming 8 p.m.
June 9-12 Bye Week & Events Directory Thursday, June 17 Knicks Gaming 6:40 p.m. Friday, June 18 Blazer5 Gaming 8 p.m. Friday, June 25 Wizards District Gaming 6 p.m. Saturday, June 26 76ers GC 6 p.m.
June 30-July 3 Bye Week Executives Wednesday, July 7 Hornets Venom GT 6 p.m. Friday, July 9 Magic Gaming 8 p.m. July 12-17 THE TURN* July 21-24 Bye Week
Friday, July 30 Pacers Gaming 6 p.m. Operations Saturday, July 31 Gen G Tigers of Shanghai 8 p.m. Wednesday, August 4 Magic Gaming 6 p.m. Friday, August 6 Gen G Tigers of Shanghai 8 p.m. Wednesday, August 11 Raptors Uprising GC 6 p.m.
August 19-21 THE TICKET* Season 2020 August 26-28 NBA 2K League Playoffs Saturday, September 4 NBA 2K League Playoffs Operations
7 GRIZZ GAMING/2K LEAGUE FAq GRIZZ GAMING/2K LEAGUE FAq GRIZZ GAMING/2K LEAGUE FAq
Who owns Grizz Gaming? Grizzlies Gaming LLC is a subsidiary of Memphis Basketball LLC, which owns the Memphis Grizzlies and operates FedExForum. Overview What is the NBA 2K League? The NBA 2K League is a professional competitive gaming league co-founded by the NBA and Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. Bringing together the world’s best 2K players, this marks the first official esports league operated by a U.S. professional sports league. Players What is Take-Two? Take-Two is a leading developer, publisher and marketer of interactive entertainment for consumers around the globe. It is the parent company of 2K Sports, which publishes the popular NBA 2K video game franchise.
When is the fourth season? Schedules The fourth season will tip off on Wednesday, May 19 with THE TIPOFF and will conclude Saturday, Sept. 4 with the 2021 NBA 2K League Finals.
How many teams are participating? The NBA 2K League consists of 23 teams, 22 of them are operated by NBA franchises: FAQ Blazer5 Gaming, Bucks Gaming, Cavs Legion GC, Celtics Crossover Gaming, Gen. G Tigers, Grizz Gaming, Hawks Talon GC, Heat Check Gaming, Hornets Venom GT, Jazz Gaming, Kings Guard Gaming, Knicks Gaming, Lakers Gaming, Magic Gaming, Mavs Gaming, Nets GC, Pacers Gaming, Pistons GT, Raptors Uprising GC, 76ers GC, T-Wolves Gaming, Warriors Gaming Squad and Wizards District Gaming.
How are games played? Logos Players will compete as unique characters (not as existing NBA players) in 5-on-5 gameplay. No artificial intelligence will be used; playing ability is strictly determined by skill.
Where will games be played? & Jerseys
Season 4 will begin with teams playing in their local markets with the possibility of playing tournament games in a central location. Practice Facility
Will the games be broadcast? Games will be simulcast live on the NBA 2K League’s Twitch and YouTube channels, and will be available on Dash Radio, ESRevolution, & Events Loco in India and Sport1 in Europe. Directory
What is the structure of the season? The season will run from May to September 2021… It will combine the best of esports and the NBA with a blend of weekly matchups and tournaments that lead to the NBA 2K League Playoffs and NBA 2K League Finals. Executives Operations 2020 Season 2020 Operations
8 GRIZZ GAMING/2K LEAGUE FAq GRIZZ GAMING/2K LEAGUE FAq GRIZZ GAMING/2K LEAGUE FAq
How will the playoffs work? For the first time, the field for the 2021 NBA 2K League Playoffs Delivered by DoorDash has expanded to 12 teams. The playoffs will
begin Thursday, Aug. 26. The top five teams in each conference at the end of the regular season will automatically qualify for the NBA 2K Overview League Playoffs Delivered by DoorDash. The 13 remaining teams will compete in THE TICKET, with the winning teams from each conference earning the 11th and 12th spots in the playoffs.
Is there prize money? Players The NBA 2K League will award $1.5 million in prize money across the THE TIPOFF, THE TURN and the playoffs. Additional information is available here.
How many players per team?
To allow for roster flexibility, each team will be composed of six players. Schedules
How did the teams fill their rosters? All 23 teams protected two-three players on their roster prior to the 2021 NBA 2K League Draft. All players who were not protected were added to the draft-eligible pool for the 2021 NBA 2K League Draft after successfully completing the NBA 2K League Combine requirements. FAQ All 23 teams completed their rosters at the Draft.
How was the pool of eligible players determined? The pool of draft-eligible players consists of players from the league’s APAC, Europe, and Gen. G Shanghai Invitationals, PS4/PS5/XBOX One Draft Prospects Tournament winners, Women’s Development Camp participants, 2KL Drop-In Winners and any non-retained players from Logos the inaugural season who successfully completed combine requirements.
Is there an age requirement for the players? Each player had to be 18 as of Nov. 10, 2019, and must have graduated from high school (or, if the player did not graduate, the class with & Jerseys
which the player would have graduated must have graduated). Practice Facility
What will the experience be like for the players? All players will be paid a guaranteed, competitive salary, and will have benefits as well as housing. Players will live in their respective & Events team’s market during the season for training. Directory
Who oversees the NBA 2K League? Brendan Donohue, a sports industry veteran with more than two decades of experience in team and league operations, is the Managing Director of the NBA 2K League. Donohue, who joined the NBA in 2009, previously served as NBA Senior Vice President, Team Marketing and Business Operations (TMBO). Executives
Where is more information available about the NBA 2K League? For more information, fans can follow the NBA 2K League on Twitter (@NBA2KLeague), Instagram (nba2kleague), Facebook (NBA 2K League),
Twitch (NBA2KLeague) and YouTube (NBA 2K League) and visit NBA2KLeague.com. Operations 2020 Season 2020 Operations
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& Jerseys Practice Facility & Events Directory Executives Operations 2020 Season 2020 Operations
10 LOGOS LOGOS LOGOS Overview Players Schedules FAQ Logos
& Jerseys Practice Facility & Events Directory Executives Operations 2020 Season 2020 Operations
11 PRACTICE FACILITY & JERSEYS PRACTICE FACILITY & JERSEYS PRACTICE FACILITY & JERSEYS Overview Players Schedules FAQ Logos
& Jerseys& Practice Facility & Events Directory Executives Operations 2020 Season 2020 Operations
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9 Overview Players Schedules FAQ Logos
& Jerseys& Practice Facility & Events Directory Executives Operations 2019 Season Operations
13 2K DIRECTORY & EVENTS 2K DIRECTORY & EVENTS 2K DIRECTORY & EVENTS
NBA 2K League Directory
Brendan Donohue Managing Director Overview Matt Arden Head of Content and Media Lindsay Ullman Head of Business Development Daniel Tsay Senior Director, League Operations Alyssa Marks Director, Partner Management & Marketing Mike Budney Director, Content & Programming Management Players Brad Ross Manager, League Operations Colleen Wagoner Manager, Communications Ivan Xie Senior Marketing Analyst Francis McCarthy Associate Manager, Social Media & Community Chris Henderson Marketing Partnerships Analyst Schedules Alex Kardon Associate Counsel Casey Rieger Executive Assistant to the Managing Director
NBA 2K Timeline of Events FAQ
Below are some milestone moments for the new NBA 2K League, a professional competitive gaming league that brings together the best basketball gamers in the world.
Feb. 9, 2017 NBA and Take-Two Interactive announce plans to launch NBA 2K League. Logos
April 25, 2017 Brendan Donohue named NBA 2K League Managing Director.
May 4, 2017 17 NBA teams announced as participants for NBA 2K League’s first season. & Jerseys
Dec. 11, 2017 NBA 2K League logo unveiled. Teams unveil their logos the same week. Practice Facility
Jan. 1-31, 2018 First stage of qualifying for players.
Feb. 2-21, 2018 Second stage of qualifying for players, known as NBA 2K League Combine. & Events Directory March 13, 2018: NBA 2K League Draft Lottery in New York. By winning the Draft Lottery, Mavs Gaming was awarded the first overall pick in the inaugural NBA 2K League Draft.
April 4, 2018 NBA 2K League Draft took place on Wednesday, April 4 at 1 p.m. ET in The Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden
in New York. Executives
April 18, 2018 Twitch announced as Official Live Streaming Partner of the NBA 2K League.
May 1-5, 2018 League tips off play with THE TIPOFF tournament.
Aug. 15, 2018 NBA 2K League announced four organizations will join the league for the 2019 season: affiliates of the Atlanta Operations Hawks, Brooklyn Nets, Los Angeles Lakers and Minnesota Timberwolves (Hawks Talon GC, NetsGC, Lakers Gaming and T-Wolves Gaming, respectively).
Aug. 17-18, 2018 First-ever NBA 2K League Playoffs took place. 2020 Season 2020 Aug. 25, 2018 Knicks Gaming defeated Heat Check Gaming 2-0 in the NBA 2K League Finals to become the inaugural NBA 2K League champions. Nate Kahl was named Finals MVP
Sept. 7, 2018 Jazz Gaming won the NBA 2K League Draft Lottery and will have the first overall pick in the 2019 NBA 2K League Draft. Operations Sept. 26, 2018 NBA 2K League held its first expansion draft at the NBA office in Secaucus, New Jersey. 14 Nov. 2-26, 2018 NBA 2K League Qualifier, the first stage of qualifying for the 2019 Draft, took place.
Dec. 8-29, 2018 The NBA 2K League Combine, the second stage of qualifying for the 2019 Draft, took place.
Feb. 2-3, 2019 The NBA 2K League’s first-ever international event, the APAC Invitational, took place in Hong Kong.
March 5, 2019 2019 NBA 2K League Draft took place on Tuesday, March 5 at 5 p.m. ET at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
April 3, 2019 NBA 2K League announced Hornets Venom GT, the affiliate of the Charlotte Hornets, would join the NBA 2K League for the league’s third season beginning in 2020. Overview
April 7, 2019 76ers GC won THE TIPOFF Tournament. Ethan “Radiant” White named tournament MVP.
April 9, 2019 NBA 2K League and YouTube announced partnership to stream live broadcast of NBA 2K League games and distribute highlights on the official NBA 2K League YouTube channel. Players
May 11, 2019 Warriors Gaming Squad won THE TURN Tournament powered by AT&T at v Esports Arena Las Vegas at Luxor Hotel and Casino. Xavier “Type” Vescovi was named tournament MVP. THE TURN marked the first time NBA 2K League gameswere held outside of the NBA 2K League Studio Powered by Intel in New York City. Schedules June 15, 2019 Warriors Gaming Squad won THE TICKET Tournament powered by AT&T at The Fortress at Full Sail University in Orlando. Alexander “Bsmoove” Reese was named tournament MVP.
July 10, 2019 Timothy “oLARRY” Anselimo won inaugural ESPY Award for Best Esports Moment at the 2019 ESPY Awards in Los FAQ Angeles. oLARRY was nominated alongside fellow NBA 2K League player Chiquita Evans.
Aug. 3, 2019 T-Wolves Gaming defeated 76ers GC 3-2 to win the 2019 NBA 2K League Finals, becoming the first expansion team in league history to capture the NBA 2K League Championship. Michael “BearDaBeast” Key was named Finals MVP.
Aug. 20-23, 2019 The NBA 2K League Development Camp: Women in Gaming, the league’s first-ever development camp for elite Logos female NBA 2K players, was held Aug. 20-23 at the NBA 2K League Studio in New York City, with AT&T serving
as an official partner.
Sept. 26, 2019 NBA 2K League announced Gen.G would launch an NBA 2K League team from Shanghai that will join the other 22
NBA 2K League teams for the 2020 season. Gen.G’s team, which will train at Gen.G’s Los Angeles HQ during the & Jerseys
2020 season, is the first NBA 2K League team outside of North America. Practice Facility
Dec. 13-14, 2019 The NBA 2K League’s second-ever international qualifying event and first ever European Invitational, took place in London at Gfinity Arena. & Events Jan. 20-21, 2020 The NBA 2K League’s second international qualifying event in the Asia-Pacific region, the 2020 NBA 2K League Directory APAC Invitational, was held at Nexon Arena in Seoul, South Korea.
Jan. 20, 2020 Gen.G unveils NBA 2K League team name and logo - Gen.G Tigers of Shanghai - at Nexon Arena in Seoul, South Korea during the APAC Invitational. Executives Feb. 22, 2020 2020 NBA 2K League Draft delivered by Panera Bread took place on Saturday, February 22 at 6 p.m. ET at Terminal 5 in New York.
Feb. 27, 2020 The NBA 2K League announced the NBA 2K League Studio will move to Manhattan and will sell tickets for the
2020 season. New for the 2020 season, the league also announced that select NBA 2K League teams will host Operations rivalry matches and round-robin events in their local markets. 2020 Season 2020
15 GRIZZ GAMING EXECUTIVES GRIZZ GAMING EXECUTIVES GRIZZ GAMING EXECUTIVES
Robert J. Pera Chairman Controlling Owner Overview Robert Pera has served as Chairman and Controlling Owner of the Grizzlies since 2012. Pera has made significant investments into the Grizzlies, and under his stewardship, the organization has experienced unprecedented success, including a club-record 56-win season and the club’s first appearance in the Western Conference Finals. The Grizzlies have also won more playoff games during Pera’s tenure than in the 17 seasons prior. More importantly, Pera has stayed true to his commitment to “make a positive and meaningful difference in the community,” becoming a strong supporter of the Grizzlies Foundation. Understanding the power of sport to transform lives, particularly Players those of children at risk, the Grizzlies Foundation has invested significantly in: increasing the number of high school graduates prepared for success in college and the workforce; enabling positive adult mentors to engage in youth mentoring and development; and ensuring that all Memphians have access to healthy exercise spaces. The Grizzlies are the first professional sports team ever to receive the prestigious President’s Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition Award in recognition of exemplary service to the broader community. Schedules Pera, who grew up in Silicon Valley and established his first computer services company at the age of 16, founded Ubiquiti Inc., a next- generation, global communications technology company, with $30,000 of his personal savings. Pera saw an opportunity to enhance existing 802.11 WiFi technology such that it could be used to bring the internet to under served areas (e.g., rural areas and developing regions) lacking the infrastructure to access the internet through traditional avenues. Ubiquiti has since successfully expanded into FAQ new market segments (e.g., enterprise-class networking equipment and consumer electronics). Under Pera’s leadership, Ubiquiti has made meaningful progress towards closing the digital divide. Ubiquiti’s community of grass roots operators have connected millions of people to the Internet in some of the most remote regions in the world. Pera continues to serve as Ubiquiti’s Chief Executive Officer and Chairman, roles for which he does not receive any equity compensation. Logos Pera has received numerous accolades and widespread media recognition, including Top 10 “Young and Powerful CEO’s under 40”
and Top 10 “Youngest Billionaires in the World.” Pera earned a Bachelor of Arts in Japanese Language, a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering and a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering, all from the University of California, San Diego. Upon graduating, he accepted a position as a hardware engineer at Apple where he worked until leaving to launch Ubiquiti. & Jerseys Practice Facility
Jason Wexler President & Events Directory Jason Wexler enters his seventh season with the Memphis Grizzlies and FedExForum and second as President. Wexler has leadership responsibility for Business Operations and Basketball Operations. Wexler was previously President of Business Operations and joined the organization as Chief Operating Officer in April 2013.
Prior to the Grizzlies, he served as President of the Henry Turley Company where he was responsible for spearheading efforts to realize Executives compelling city center development initiatives and managing the day-to-day operations of a full service real estate firm. Before that, Wexler founded the real estate development and investment firm Greenhat Partners LLC, and was a partner in the Memphis law firm of Hanover, Walsh, Jalenak and Blair, PLLC.
The recipient of the 2012 Downtown Vision Award for individual achievement by the Downtown Memphis Commission, Wexler currently Operations serves on the Board of Directors for Neighborhood Preservation, Inc., the Memphis Brand Initiative, the Memphis River Parks Partnership and the Grizzlies Foundation.
Wexler graduated from the University of Virginia with a Bachelor of Science in Architecture and from Columbia Law School. 2020 Season 2020 Operations
16 GRIZZ GAMING OPERATIONS GRIZZ GAMING OPERATIONS GRIZZ GAMING OPERATIONS
John Pugliese Executive Producer, Grind City Media & Vice President, Broadcast & Production Overview John Pugliese enters his 23rd season with the Memphis Grizzlies as Executive Producer of Grind City Media and Vice President of Broadcast and Production where he manages the strategy and day-to-day operations of each of those departments.
Pugliese currently oversees the operation of all aspects of broadcast and production, including Grizzlies, Grind City Media, Memphis Hustle Players and FedExForum social and digital development and production, special events and game entertainment experience and promotions, both regionally and locally. He also leads the franchise’s broadcast department and Grind City Media in the creation and production of content, video and podcasts, and radio, television and live stream broadcasts. In addition, Pugliese helps oversee both Grizzlies’ retail and Grizz Gaming operations, promotions, marketing and other business functions. Schedules Backed by 22 years of sports entertainment experience with the Grizzlies, Pugliese has played an integral role in transforming the team’s identity and brand in Memphis. He has worked on campaigns such as “Believe Memphis,” orchestrates long-standing Grizzlies traditions like the Martin Luther King Day celebrations at FedExForum and more recently helped lead the team’s efforts in updating the Grizzlies’
identity in 2018, including new logos and uniform systems and most recently introducing a two-year program to celebrate and recognize FAQ both the 25th Season in Grizzlies history in 2019-20 and the franchise’s 20th Season in Memphis in 2020-21.
Pugliese earned his Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of British Columbia and began his career with the Vancouver Canucks and Grizzlies in 1998 as the assistant coordinator of game presentation. Logos The Vancouver native moved to Memphis with the team in 2001 where he has since set roots in the downtown community. Pugliese serves as a member of the Greater Memphis Chamber Board of Advisors, Jay Uiberall Legacy Fund Board, Boys & Girls Club Golf Tourney Board, Rock & Soul Museum & Memphis Music Hall-of-Fame Board and has been acknowledged in the Memphis Business Journal’s Top 40 under 40. & Jerseys Practice Facility & Events Directory Executives Operations 2020 Season 2020
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Lang Whitaker General Manager
Lang Whitaker enters his fourth season as the General Manager and Head Coach of Grizz Gaming, and a contributor for Grind City Media. Overview
As GM and coach of Grizz Gaming, Whitaker is responsible for all facets of the Memphis Grizzlies’ team in the NBA 2K League. This involves everything from drafting players to strategizing game plans to coaching during 2K League games. Over the first two seasons, Whitaker has
guided Grizz Gaming to consecutive top-ten finishes in the 2K League, one of just five teams to accomplish this feat. As the GM of Tennessee’s Players first professional eSports team, Whitaker has helped grow Grizz Gaming among the local and national gaming communities. In 2019, Governor Bill Lee appointed Whitaker to the Tennessee Interactive Digital Media Advisory Council.
For Grind City Media, Whitaker produces content across multiple platforms, including his weekly “Lang’s World” column, which covers an
array of topics relevant to the Mid-South, from college football to wrestling to food and culture. Whitaker also co-hosts “The Odds Couple” Schedules for GCM, and produces weekly “Cooking With Lang” videos. Whitaker appears on Grizzlies broadcasts and podcasts, providing analysis of the Grizzlies and the NBA at large for GCM. He also speaks at events and makes local and national media appearances to discuss the Grizzlies, Grizz Gaming and the NBA at large. FAQ Prior to joining the Grizzlies, Whitaker worked for NBA Digital, where he wrote for NBA.com, appeared regularly on NBA TV, and co-hosted the award-winning Hang Time Podcast, which grew into an annual television special. In 2012, he co-hosted the inaugural NBA Social Media Awards on NBA TV with Rick Fox and Shaquille O’Neal. For over a decade, Whitaker was on staff at SLAM magazine, interviewing everyone from Michael Jordan to LeBron James to David Stern. Whitaker launched SLAM’s digital presence as the magazine’s first online editor,
and eventually became the magazine’s executive editor. He has also written for many other publications, including The New York Times, Logos Sports Illustrated, Esquire, The Washington Post, Billboard and InStyle.
Since 2010, Whitaker has been a contributor to GQ magazine, writing about cooking, sports and popular culture. In March 2011, Scribner published Whitaker’s critically acclaimed memoir “In The Time Of Bobby Cox: The Atlanta Braves, Their Manager, My Couch, Two Decades
and Me.” Whitaker has also co-authored several books, including “FreeDarko Presents: The Undisputed Guide to Pro Basketball History” & Jerseys
and “SLAM Kicks: Basketball Sneakers That Changed The Game.” Born in Atlanta, Whitaker enjoyed a long run living in New York City before Practice Facility moving to Memphis in 2016, to work for the Grizzlies and own as many grills as he wants (four, currently). He lives on Mud Island with his wife and son, and their dog, GG. & Events Directory Executives Operations 2020 Season 2020
18 2020 Season 2020 Season 2020 Season Overview Players Schedules FAQ Logos
& Jerseys 2020 Grizz Gaming (From L to R): Mehyar Ahmed-Hassan (AuthenticAfrican), Dayvon Curry ( G O O F Y 7 5 7), Daniel Davis (DDouble), Practice Facility Lang Whitaker (General Manager/Head Coach), Zach Vandivier (Vandi), Joel Lazu (JoelLazu), Justin Rodriguez (Jayrod).
2020 Grizz Gaming 7-9 (4-4 Home, 3-5 Away) 2020 Regular Season Breakdown & Events Directory Date Opponent Score Record Record Home Road Streak 5/12 Raptors Uprising CG L (61-98, 62-84) 0-1 Reg. Season 7-9 4-4 3-5 L3 5/13 Hawks Talon GC L (63-74, 60-54, 57-75) 0-2 The Tipoff 3-3 2-0 1-3 L2 5/21 Heat Check Gaming L (67-85, 73-79) 0-3 The Turn 0-2 0-2 L2
5/22 Kings Guard Gaming L (68-82, 58-60) 0-4 Executives 5/28 Lakers Gaming W (67-60, 103-56) 1-4 The Ticket 4-3 4-1 0-2 L2 6/2 Celtics Crossover Gaming W (59-69, 76-62, 87-68) 2-4 6/4 Pistons GT W (51-62, 79-75, 65-64) 3-4 6/9 T-Wolves Gaming W (55-94, 79-73, 69-65) 4-4
6/23 Gen G. Tigers L (77-67, 76-79, 65-71) 4-5 Operations 6/24 Knicks Gaming W (72-80, 84-79, 84-70) 5-5 7/7 Mavs Gaming L (58-66, 62-67) 5-6 7/9 Blazer5 Gaming W (72-43, 62-69, 93-70) 6-6 7/15 Nets GC W (72-80, 64-52, 90-69) 7-6
7/17 Jazz Gaming L (74-69, 67-86, 59-60) 7-7 Season 2020 7/30 Bucks Gaming L (68-71, 70-85) 7-8 7/31 Warriors Gaming Squad L (55-83, 44-45) 7-9
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2020 Quick Facts Grizz Gaming finished with a 7-9 record (.438), finishing tied for 12th in the NBA 2K League standings. The team finished 7-8 in
tournament games. Overview
After losing its first four games to begin the season, Grizz Gaming won seven of their next nine games to climb back into playoff contention.
On July 15 Zach “Vandi” Vandivier totaled a career-high 54 points on 22-of-34 shot attempts in a series clinching victory over Nets GC. In the three-game series against Nets GC, Vandi averaged 42.7 points on 54.4 percent shooting. Players
AuthenticAfrican finished tied-for-ninth in field goal percentage (.700) and ranked in the top-20 of the NBA 2K League with 84 steals.
Vandi’s named was scattered across the league-leaders page following the 2020 season. His 30.8 points per game was good for seventh- best in the 2K League in 2020 and 11th-best for a single-season in NBA 2K League history. Vandi also ranked ninth in assists per game (7.7) Schedules and seventh in field goals made (12.9) per game.
2020 Grizz Gaming Highs FAQ Category Highs Player Opponent Date Points 54 Vandi Nets GC June 15, 2020 Field Goals 22 (2x) Vandi Nets GC June 15, 2020 FG Attempts 38 Vandi Nets GC June 15, 2020 FG % (.910) AuthenticAfrican @ Knicks Gaming June 24, 2020 Logos 3PM 7 Jayrod Lakers Gaming May 28, 2020
3PA 11 Vandi @ Warriors Gaming Squad July 31, 2020 3P% (.800) (3x) Jayrod Jazz Gaming July 17, 2020 Rebounds 20 G O O F Y 7 5 7 Jazz Gaming July 17, 2020
Assists 12 (3x) Vandi @ Knicks Gaming June 24, 2020 & Jerseys Steals 9 Vandi @ Knicks Gaming June 24, 2020 Practice Facility Blocks 5 (2x) G O O F Y 7 5 7 @ Knicks Gaming June 24, 2020 Turnovers 10 Vandi @ Pistons GT June 4, 2020 Fouls 6 (2x) Vandi Jazz Gaming July 17, 2020 & Events Directory Executives Operations 2020 Season 2020
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Mehyar Ahmed-Hassan - AuthenticAfrican - Shooting Guard - #3
GP PPG RPG APG FG% 3P% Overview 2020 Averages 56 12.6 1.3 1.1 .689 .529 Tournament 15 11.1 1.1 1.1 .667 .588 Reg. Season 41 13.1 1.3 1.1 .697 .508
2020 Season: Appeared in 56 games in his third season with Grizz Gaming holding averages of 12.6 points, 1.3 rebounds and 2.2 steals Players while shooting 68.9 percent from the field and 52.9 percent from 3-point range… AuthenticAfrican finished tied-for-ninth in field goal percentage (.700) and ranked in the top-20 of the NBA 2K League with 84 steals… Scored a regular season-high 27 points on 10-of-11 shooting in a win over Knicks Gaming on June 24… Averaged 11.1 points per game in tournament play.
Dayvon Curry - G O O F Y 7 5 7 - Center - #1 Schedules
GP PPG RPG APG FG% 3P% 2020 Averages 56 12.4 13.2 3.9 .665 .000 FAQ Tournament 15 14.4 14.1 3.3 .708 .000 Reg. Season 41 11.7 12.7 4.3 .649 .000
2020 Season: Curry held averaged a double-double of 12.4 points, 13.2 rebounds and 3.9 assists in 56 games… Curry shot an efficient 66.5 percent from the floor, inlcduing 70.8 percent in tournament play… Curry posted a season-high 23 points to go with eight rebounds at Mavs Gaming on July 7, 2020… Curry’s 12.7 rebounds per game in regular season play ranked ninth in the NBA 2K League. Logos
Daniel Davis - DDouble - Power Forward - #13
GP PPG RPG APG FG% 3P% & Jerseys
2020 Averages 56 5.3 4.6 1.4 .434 .351 Practice Facility Tournament 15 5.7 4.5 1.5 .465 .371 Reg. Season 41 5.1 4.6 1.3 .423 .344 & Events 2020 Season: Appeared in all 56 games for Grizz Gaming averging 5.3 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.4 assists while shooting 43.4 percent Directory from the field and 35.1 percent from deep… Davis scored a season-high 16 points on 6-of-14 shooting in a loss to Hawks Talong on May 13… Davis ranked 32nd in the NBA 2K League in 2020 with 190 total rebounds.
Joel Lazu - JoelLazu - Point Guard - #11 Executives GP PPG RPG APG FG% 3P% 2020 Averages 1 6.0 0.0 0.0 .333 .400 Tournament Reg. Season 1 6.0 0.0 0.0 .333 .400 Operations
2020 Season: Appeared in one game for Grizz Gaming on May 12 vs. Raptors Uprising… Lazu scored six points on 2-of-5 shooting in his lone appearance for the season. 2020 Season 2020
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Justin Rodriguez - Jrod - Small Forward - #35
GP PPG RPG APG FG% 3P% Overview 2020 Averages 55 8.3 1.0 1.3 .518 .480 Tournament 15 8.9 0.9 1.4 .510 .492 Reg. Season 40 8.1 1.0 1.3 .456 .476
2020 Season: Made 55 appearnaces in 2020 holding averages of 8.3 points, 1.0 rebounds and 1.3 assists while shooting 51.8 percent Players from the field and 48 percent from behind-the-arc… Ranked 23rd in the leage with 80 made 3-pointers… Scored a season-high 31 points while knocking down seven 3-pointers in a win over Lakers gaming on May 28, 2020… Scored in double-figures 13 times.
Zach Vandivier - Vandi - Point Guard - #23 Schedules
GP PPG RPG APG FG% 3P% 2020 Averages 56 29.5 0.6 7.9 .553 .439 Tournament 15 27.7 0.5 8.3 .543 .363 FAQ Reg. Season 41 30.1 0/6 7.7 .557 .467
2020 Season: Started all 56 games for Grizz Gaming averaging 29.5 points, 7.9 assists and 2.1 steals while shooting 55.3 percent from the field and 43.9 percent from 3 point range… Scored a career-high 54 points to go with seven assists and four steals in a 90-69 series-clinching win over Nets GC on July 15, 2020… Scored at least 30 points in 23 of Grizz Gaming’s 41 regular season games… His 30.1 points per game in regular season play was good for eight-best in the 2K League in 2020 and 11th-best in NBA 2K League history. Logos
& Jerseys Practice Facility & Events Directory Executives Operations 2020 Season 2020
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2020 SEASON REVIEW Overview
FINAL REGULAR SEASON STANDINGS
TEAM W L Pct. Diff. Home Away 1. 2. Jazz Gaming* 14 2 .875 24.8 7-1 7-1 Players 3. 4. 5. NBA 2K League Sideline Reporter 7. Autumn Johnson 8. Schedules 10. T-Wolves Gaming 8 8 .500 3.0 4-4 4-4 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. FAQ
17. 18. Celtics Crossover Gaming 4 12 .250 -21.1 4-4 0-8 20. 21. Pacers Gaming 4 12 .250 -11.5 1-7 3-5
22. Pistons GT 3 13 .188 -15.3 3-5 0-8 Logos 23. *-Qualified for playoffs
2020 NBA 2K LEAGUE PLAYOFFS DELIVERED BY DOORDASH RESULTS
Raptors Uprising GC def. Hornets Venom GT (2-0) Game 1: Warriors Gaming Squad 87, Jazz Gaming 61 Jazz Gaming def. Blazer5 Gaming (2-0) Game 2: Warriors Gaming Squad 71, Jazz Gaming 66 Warriors Gaming Squad def. Bucks Gaming (2-1) & Jerseys
Wizards District Gaming def. Kings Guard Gaming (2-0) Practice Facility Game 1: Warriors Gaming Squad 65, Wizards District Gaming 53 Game 2: Wizards District Gaming 60, Warriors Gaming Squad 50 Game 1: Wizards District Gaming 70, Raptors Uprising GC 66 Game 3: Wizards District Gaming 64, Warriors Gaming Squad 59 Game 2: Wizards District Gaming 65, Raptors Uprising GC 57 Game 4: Wizards District Gaming 70, Warriors Gaming Squad 55 Ryan “Dayfri” Conger, WDG & Events AWARD WINNERS Directory NBA 2K LEAGUE MOST VALUABLE PLAYER Kenneth “Kenny Got Work” Hailey, Raptors Uprising GC (right) NBA 2K LEAGUE ROOKIE OF THE YEAR Reginald “Regg” Nash, Bucks Gaming Executives NBA 2K LEAGUE COACH OF THE YEAR Jelani “Comp” Mitchell, Jazz Gaming NBA 2K LEAGUE DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR Eric “TimelyCook” Donald, Raptors Uprising GC
NBA 2K LEAGUE SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD Operations Mihad “Feast” Feratovic, T-Wolves Gaming NBA 2K LEAGUE FAN ENGAGEMENT AWARD Kenneth “Kenny Got Work” Hailey, Raptors Uprising GC Kenneth “Kenny Got Work” Hailey NBA 2K LEAGUE PLAY OF THE YEAR Sam “Gradient” Salyers, Warriors Gaming Squad 2020 Season 2020 19
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