Dux Infinitos came into the 2024 NBA 2K League Draft needing to finalize their roster around newly acquired Point Guard, Ryan1of1, Shooting Guard Gazulli, and Center Oreo. With the 12th overall pick, they selected Waranocks. 

 

 

He was a tremendous selection for the team. After being one of the best International Lockdown Defenders in the pro-am scene for some time, he earned his opportunity to compete at the highest level. Watching his gameplay, you’re able to see his ability to stay in front of opposing point guards while wreaking havoc on the defensive end. A strong performance at the EFIBA Tournament this off-season helped him put himself in a position to be drafted. He is also a quality scorer on the offensive end. Some questions remain, how fast will he be able to become acclimated to the league? Will he be able to come in and hit the ground running or will the highest-drafted international player ever succumb to the pressure of the moment? With the 31st overall selection in the NBA 2KL draft and rounding out the roster, they selected Power Forward Anias. Being able to scoop him up so late in the draft was a steal for the team. Anias has elite defensive capabilities. His improved offense is a huge reason he was selected to represent this team. I am ready to see how he anchors the defense in 2024. Moving on to the off-season acquisitions for Dux. They acquired Point Guard Ryan1of1 to hold down the primary ball handler role. After a solid rookie season individually in 2023, he now has an opportunity to lead a new squad in 2024. His ability to light up the scoreboard stands out when watching him play, yet I would like to see him improve upon his consistency and cut down on his turnovers. After a tough season with the Lakers, will he be able to bounce back with a fresh start? Moving on to Gazuli. He joins Dux after they traded for him in the off-season. Gazuli is an above-average player who specializes in catch-and-shoot situations. He also possesses fantastic two-way abilities and runs the fast-break well. I am eager to see how the backcourt pairing of Ryan1of1 and Gazuli progresses throughout 2024. Rounding out the roster we have Dlaw. Dlaw is an aggressive center who does a solid job finishing down low. He is a quality rebounder on both ends of the floor and  I expect him to hold down the paint nicely for the squad during the 2024 season.

 

 

 

 

Cavs Legion GC heads into the 2024 season with only one returning player from the 2023 season in Point Guard Antoine. Joining the squad for this season is Shooting Guard Killeyy, Small Forward TBShiftay, Power Forward DjayTooCold, and Center Slaughter who were all acquired via trade in the off-season. 

 

 

 

After making the 3v3 playoffs, but unfortunately missing out on the 5v5 playoffs last season, they are set up to be immediate contenders across both game modes this season. Let’s dive into the new players on the roster this season and some things that they bring to the table. First up is Killeyy. Killey had a quality season in both game modes with Dux Infinitos in 2023, which included a SWITCH OPEN banner, a 3v3 Championship, and the finals MVP trophy. He is a dynamic scorer who can consistently light it up from beyond the arc. He is also very good at limiting his turnovers. Next, let’s talk about the superstar Small Forward TBShiftay. He joins the Cavs after coming over in an off-season trade with T-Wolves Gaming. What puts TB in the upper echelon of Lockdown Defenders in the league? His one-on-one defense and his ability to create mayhem on that end of the floor. He also knocks down shots consistently. These things will put him in a position to play a massive role for the team in 2024. It’s time to talk about Power Forward DjayToocold who heads to Cleveland after spending the 2023 season with NBL Oz Gaming. Djay is a sensational player on offense and defense. His automatic shooting skills and persistent defense make him one of the best Power Forwards in the league. After having a dominant season in 2023 that included a nomination for the Most Improved Player Award and Defensive Player Of The Year. Will he be able to lead this team to new heights? We will find out the answer in due time. Let’s close the roster by talking about Slaughter. Slaughter has been one of the better Centers in the league for a few seasons now and I don’t anticipate him skipping a beat this season. He is spectacular at knocking down his shots in 3v3 and 5v5 and controlling the glass on both sides of the ball and will continue to hold the Center role at a high level. Cavs fans should be ecstatic about the roster for this season.

 

 

 

T-Wolves Gaming headed into the NBA 2K League Draft needing to solidify their roster around Point Guard BearDaBeast and newly acquired Small Forward SubGoated with picks number 2, 5, and 19.

 

 

With the second overall Minnesota selected Shooting Guard Tutak. He took the pro-am scene by storm this off-season with his elite shot-making and solid defensive abilities. He is sensational in catch-and-shoot situations and creating separation from his defender. He also brings a great amount of 3v3 experience to the team which should help the T-Wolves as the first half of the season progresses. I am very excited to see how he pairs in the backcourt with veteran Bear as the 5v5 season moves along. With the 5th overall pick, they selected Igymo to anchor the defense. The T-Wolves nailed this pick. Igy was the best player at their selection and will play a huge role in their success in both modes. Furthermore, his top-notch defensive instincts and above-average shooting are a couple of reasons why he was drafted in the top five. More than that, it’s the little things that he does that allow him to stand out. Whether it be getting a box-out or lurking in the lane to make a play for his team. His experience in the 3v3 scene is also an added bonus for the squad. To round out the roster, Center Forever Polo was selected at Pick 19 to contain the paint. Polo is one of those players who had tried season after season to get into the league but never had the opportunity outside of a small stint with Dux Infinitos in 2022. Now he earns his chance. Polo is a marvelous player on both sides of the ball who excels at knocking down his shots consistently, finishing at the rim, and dominating the glass. He will be a perfect fit for the team this season. T-Wolves Gaming has almost always been in the post-season since their inception and are continually one of the favorites to win the 5v5 Championship, but in the last few years, they have come up short. Could this be the year they get it done for the first time since 2019?

 

 

 

Jazz Gaming came into the 2024 NBA 2KL Draft needing to finalize their roster around returning players from the 2023 season, Kaaze and Ria. With the ninth overall pick, they selected  Point Guard Luhfeen.

 

 

Feen is a good player who showcases the ability to score productively and create space from opposing defenders. He should be able to strengthen an inconsistent Jazz offense from 2023. Some wonder if he was drafted too high. Now, he has no choice but to answer the call. He enters the season with so much to prove and has to live up to expectations for the team to have any chance of success. Their next selection at pick number 20 was Miami. You may remember him from his time with 3v3 Team Handlez or OTF Vultures. He is a consistent shooter in both game modes and a satisfactory defender as well. I’m ready to see how he leads the defense this year. He and Kaaze are reuniting in 2024 after spending the 2022 season with 3v3 amateur team Team Handlez and hope to bring the same success they had then to the team this season. With their last pick at number 33 overall, they selected InHisPrime. He will likely fill in the Shooting Guard role for the team and take the reigns at Point Guard in 3v3. Some things that I have noticed when watching him play are his ability to convert on his open shots in both modes and leave his defender at bay. I think this was a great selection from the team as he will be able to bring frequent success in 3v3. I am curious to see how he develops during the 5v5 season. I expect the Jazz to make the playoffs in 3v3 and be a ticket team in 5v5. For me, this team will live and die by their offensive production this season.

 

 

 

Grizz Gaming headed into the NBA 2KL Draft with picks 13, 21, and 27 to fill out the roster consisting of newly acquired Point Guard Vandi and veteran big man Spartan.

 

 

With the 13th pick, the Grizz selected Power Forward OhDonn. If his gamertag rings a bell, you probably remember him from his time as an amateur in 3v3 with Team Glitchy. Donn is an incredible defender in the pick-and-roll, but sometimes his offense can leave little to be desired. When he’s hot, he’s hot. When he’s not, what can I say, he’s not. I look for him to make strides on that end in 2024. His capabilities to play at a high level in both modes will allow them to be viewed as a threat to the rest of the league. With the 21st overall pick, they selected Small Forward IcyyTheGoat. I thought this was a flawless selection from the team. The way he stays in front of opposing PGs consistently while being a solid shooter is noticed when you watch him compete. After having a very consistent pre-draft this past off-season, which included winning the UPA World Championship, I am excited to see what he does with his second chance in the league. With the 27th and final pick of the draft for the team, Grizz Gaming selected Rigby. Rigby was an outstanding selection for the team. His ability to knock down shots at an efficacious rate and also to generate space with the ball in his hands makes him one of the premium Shooting Guards in the league. He also plays defense at a high level. I look for him to get off to a fast start this season and maintain consistency from the beginning until the end.