Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
SALT LAKE CITY — While the Utah Jazz boarded a plane to Oklahoma City for Game 5 of the NBA playoffs first round Tuesday morning, members of the organization were introducing the “other Jazz” to Salt Lake City for the first time.
The Jazz unveiled the six-player roster of Jazz Gaming for the first time, introducing the market to the franchise’s rotation for the inaugural season of the NBA 2K League, which kicks off in May.
“Utah is a basketball state,” said Jazz director of e-sports Josh Barney, who helped handpick the roster from a pool of 102 draft-eligible players taken from a field of 72,000 gamers. “We are very excited for the playoffs, and this is a natural extension of the Jazz. These guys are coming in at the perfect time, to feel the energy and to see what we're all about as a state.
“As the NBA season closes, we come into our own season.”
Much like their Jazz counterparts, Jazz gamers brought with them the hope for an inaugural 2K League title.
“I’ve been playing 2K since 2006, and for some reason, I was a sore loser. I always wanted to win,” said Shaka “Yeah I Compete” Browne, Jazz Gaming’s first-round draft pick. “I hated to lose. I took the game so seriously.
“I’m competitive. I just want to win. I live for that kind of environment.”
Other Jazz Gaming players include Delano “Tifeworld” Allsup Jr.; DeMar “Deeds” Butler; Malik “MrSlaughter01” Leisinger; Jaishon “Smoove” Scott; and Michael “Stambeezy” Stam.
For those who think the NBA 2K League and other e-sports properties are just grown men playing games, Jazz Gaming has a message — it's more.
Butler was an active military member, having spent four years in the Navy — in addition to the better part of a decade engaged in NBA 2K.
“Being in the military, you have to deal with many different personalities,” said the player better known as Deeds. “Combining the two has been putting all of our personalities together, and working together toward one goal — winning a championship.”
The season tips off in May, and games will be showed live on Twitch.tv.
