He’s 23-years-old, been playing 2K since he was a kid, and was part of the team that won last year’s NBA All-Star 2K Tournament.
He’s Artreyo “Dimez” Boyd, Mavs Gaming’s first pick in the inaugural NBA 2K League Draft.
“It’s a blessing to be the No. 1 pick. Coming from where I come from, I never thought I’d be here,” said the Cleveland, Ohio native whose favorite NBA player is, of course, LeBron James.
“It’s surreal. I’m thankful that Mavs Gaming has faith in me. Now I’m ready to get to know my teammates and go to work,” he said. “Dallas is a great organization. I don’t know too much about the city but I’m ready and willing to learn and get to work.
“To be a pro-gamer in the NBA2k League means the world to me,” he continued. “I’ve always wanted this. I’m confident that we’re about to go win this championship.”
Mavs Gaming, the Dallas Mavericks’ NBA 2K team, is one of 17 franchises participating in the inaugural season of the NBA 2K League, a professional esports league featuring the best NBA 2K players in the world. The NBA 2K League is the first official esports league operated by a U.S. professional sports league.
The team selected *six players at today’s draft that took place today at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Mavs Gaming was awarded the No. 1 draft pick in last month’s draft lottery and used that pick to select Boyd .
“Number 1 pick, baby! Can’t wait to get to Mavs Gaming, and start working, y’all! We know what time it is—we’re getting a championship, period. Nobody’s stopping us, let’s get ‘em!” Dimez said, after hearing he was picked by Mavs Gaming.
“It’s Dimez’s day to dominate with Mavs Gaming and we’re looking forward to making him a household name,” said Mark Cuban, owner of Mavs Gaming and the Dallas Mavericks.
Five additional players were selected using subsequent picks with draft position determined by a snake order arrangement — No. 34, 35, 68, 69 and 102. The players in today’s draft were selected from a pool of 102 draftees that were chosen by the league after an extensive tryout process that began in January 2018. Each team had to use its first five selections to fill each of the five positions on the basketball court. The final selection could be used to select a player from any position (point guard, shooting guard, small forward, power forward or center).
Boyd has been playing 2K since he was a young kid, using the game as an outlet to stay away from negativity. He is a part of one of the most dominant Pro/Am teams since the release of the mode and his team qualified and won last year’s NBA All-Star 2K Tournament winning the $250,000 grand prize.
Boyd said he will pattern his style of leadership after (LeBron) James. “It’s more mental when it comes to him. But I’ll make sure I get my team involved and making sure everyone is on the right path.”
According to Newzoo, by 2020 the esports industry is expected to grow to $1.5 billion worldwide while the audience for esports is expected to reach 385 million in 2017, including 191 million dedicated enthusiasts and 194 million occasional viewers.
In 10 years, Boyd predicts, pro gaming will be at the top.
“I see it bigger than traditional sports. It’s taking over. It’s what everyone’s talking about now – gaming. Esports is taking over,” he said.
Fans interested in the NBA 2K League and Mavs Gaming can follow Mavs Gaming social media accounts, @mavsgg on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Mavs Gaming is sponsored by 5miles, HyperX, ZipChair, bedgear and Dell/Alienware
*A list of players selected and their positions and home states are listed below:
MAVS GAMING 2018 DRAFT SELECTIONS:
Draft Round/Selection Position Name Gamer Tag State/ Region
Round 1/ Pick 1 PG Artreyo Boyd Dimez Ohio
Round 2/ Pick 34 PF Ryan Conger Dayfri Texas
Round 3/ Pick 35 C Jannis Neumann JLB Germany
Round 4/ Pick 68 SG Waseem Talbert BallLikeSeem Pennsylvania
Round 5/ Pick 69 SF Ryan de Villon Devillon Canada
Round 6/ Pick 102 C Harry Hurst HazzaUK2K UK
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