Pacers Gaming is almost 11 months old. It’s still in its infancy. However, Pacers Sports & Entertainment’s fourth franchise took a big leap Wednesday afternoon when they finally were able to construct their team.
The much-anticipated NBA 2K League Draft was held Wednesday in New York. It began after 1:30 pm ET and lasted more than six hours. (Credit the host on Jamie “Dirk” Diaz Ruiz for hosting solo the entire way. That is far more difficult than viewers on NBA TV or Twitch.)
The draft order was set in March during the draft lottery. Mavs Gaming held the top overall pick, which they used on Artreyo Boyd (aka Dimez) from Ohio. Pacers Gaming owned the 13th overall pick in the six-round draft that went in snake order for the 17 teams.
As most teams went after offense , Cody Parent, Pacers Gaming’s Director of eSports Operations, instead chose defense. He used the 13th pick to select Bryant Colon (WoLF), a small forward from Queens, New York.
In the six-round draft, teams were required to fill each position with their first five picks and then the sixth and final choice was a wildcard.
“I’m thrilled, ecstatic, happy, pick a word,” said Parrent. “We interviewed each of the 102 candidates and we are confident we have six players that will represent our team, our state and our sport in the finest fashion.”
All first-round selections will be signed to a six-month contract for $35,000, and all other players receive $32,000. On top of that, all players receive travel costs, housing, medical insurance, a retirement plan, plus any prize money from a $1 million pool.
Pacers Gaming’s First Draft:
13: Bryant Colon (WoLF), small forward, New York
22: Nicolas Grech (Swizurk), shooting guard, California
47: Tucker Henry (JordanLocksUp), center, Washington
56: James Bull (vGooner-), point guard, United Kingdom
81: George Polk (FROSTYtheTRUTH), power forward, California
90: Samuel Beniaminian (The Playa), small forward, New York
Watch us make our first pick in franchise history! 👀⬇️
Welcome to the squad WoLF! pic.twitter.com/Zd1nUKKArp
— Pacers Gaming (@PacersGaming) April 4, 2018
"That's what Indiana does, they win"
Our first-round draft pick WoLF (Bryant Colon) talks about what moving from NYC✈️IND will mean to him and described his excitement about being picked in the first round. #WelcomeWoLF 🐺 pic.twitter.com/RIHQhEOlZo
— Pacers Gaming (@PacersGaming) April 4, 2018
Introducing the first 17 picks in the inaugural #NBA2KLeagueDraft! pic.twitter.com/vCoRUXIGVL
— NBA 2K League (@NBA2KLeague) April 4, 2018
[Photo: @eddiewhite3]