Rip City Project
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Blazer5 Gaming representing Blazers in new NBA 2k League

By Shawn P. O’Connor

LONG ISLAND CITY, NY - MAY 3: during the NBA 2K League Tip Off Tournament on May 3, 2018 at Brooklyn Studios in Long Island City, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Michelle Farsi/NBAE via Getty Images)
LONG ISLAND CITY, NY - MAY 3: during the NBA 2K League Tip Off Tournament on May 3, 2018 at Brooklyn Studios in Long Island City, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Michelle Farsi/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The NBA is expanding – to professional video games. The Blazers are represented in the new league by Blazer5 Gaming and have started out on fire.

In an attempt to appeal to a wider audience, the NBA has created an online video game league. Seventeen teams are represented in the NBA 2k league including a Portland representative, also known as Blazer5 Gaming.

The league kicked off on April 5 with the inaugural NBA 2K league draft. According to Forbes, Blazer5 Gaming selected players worthy of an A+ draft grade.

The team held the sixth overall pick, selecting center Dayne Downey (gamertag: OneWildWalnut) out of California first.

The remaining selections for Blazer5 Gaming were:

  • Point guard Nidal Nasser (Mama Im Dat Man) out of California 29th overall
  • Power forward Connor Rodrigues (Dat Boy Shotz) out of California 40th overall
  • Small forward Andron Thomas (Lavish_phenom) out of California 63rd overall
  • Shooting guard Grant Barker (GRANT MONSTER) out of California 74th overall
  • Center Jomar Varela-Escapa (Jomar12 PR) out of Puerto Rico 97th overall.

Blazers5 Gaming’s roster was put together by Operations Manager Cameron McAlees and his staff.

The team competes in 5-on-5 games as unique avatars based on their skills at particular positions. The season will consist of weekly matchups, three in-season tournaments, playoffs, and finally the NBA 2K League Finals.

Inaugural Season

Blazer5 Gaming started the inaugural NBA 2K season with authority, winning all three matchups in group play of the NBA 2K League Tipoff Tournament.

The team defeated Raptors Uprising GC 63-59, 76ers GC 81-68, and Magic Gaming 73-59. By going three for three in group play, the team secured the number one seed in Saturday’s eight team tournament. The winner of Saturday’s tournament will receive $100,000 in prize money.

Today, the team faced Cavs Legion GC in the semifinal of the tournament. Despite trailing by halftime, Blazer5 Gaming pulled it back to win, 69-64.

First round pick Dayne Downey got hyped after a breakaway dunk by teammate Andron Thomas.

Next: Best of Blazers: 48-point opening night win

You can follow Blazer5 Gaming on Twitter at @blazer5gaming. Twitch streams their weekly games at Twitch.tv/NBA2KLEAGUE.

Good luck to Blazer5 Gaming in the NBA 2K League as they represent Rip City!