NBA G LEAGUE IGNITE’S YOUNG STARS SHINE IN
OVERTIME WEB SERIES LEAGUE READY PRESENTED BY STATE FARM®
– First of Eight Webisodes Following NBA G League Ignite’s
Inaugural Season Debuts May 1 –
WALNUT CREEK, Calif. April 29, 2021 – League Ready presented by State Farm®, a web series offering fans an inside look at NBA G League Ignite during its inaugural season, makes its debut on NBA G League and Overtime digital and social media platforms starting Saturday, May 1.
“We’re excited to expand our partnership with State Farm and thrilled to share this one-of-a-kind G League Ignite season with audiences and fans as the excitement continues to build for the 2021 NBA Draft,” said NBA G League Chief Operating Officer Portia Archer.
Click here to watch the trailer for League Ready presented by State Farm®.
Each of the eight webisodes spotlights Ignite stars Jalen Green, Jonathan Kuminga, Daishen Nix and Isaiah Todd during their first season as professional basketball players. From preseason training at the team’s complex in Walnut Creek, Calif., to playing a single-site season in Orlando to postseason NBA Draft preparation, League Ready presented by State Farm® follows these players on one of the most unique journeys in basketball history.
New webisodes will be posted on Overtime’s YouTube channel each Saturday from May 1 through June 19, with highlights and more exclusive Ignite content available via @nbagleague on Instagram. Leading up to the NBA Draft on July 29, fans can enjoy all eight installments from beginning to end on the NBA G League website.
“We’re thrilled to have a sponsor like State Farm for this new original series,” said Rich Calacci, Chief Revenue Officer at Overtime. “State Farm is already perceived as a leader within both the basketball world and insurance category. Their exclusive sponsorship of ‘League Ready’ will propel them even further by engaging the under-35 consumer through meaningful touchpoints and brand integrations.”
Last December, the G League and Overtime tipped off their partnership by bringing fans unique NBA G League content, beginning with exclusive access to Ignite’s preseason training and continuing through the conclusion of the team’s inaugural season. During the team’s debut year, elite youth standouts Green, Kuminga, Nix and Todd began their professional basketball journeys, while NBA and G League veterans such as Amir Johnson, Jarrett Jack and Bobby Brown continued to pursue their NBA dreams, helping to lead Ignite to a playoff berth and an 8-8 record at ESPN Wide World of Sports near Orlando, Fla.
BOSTON’S SMART SUSPENDED
NEW YORK, April 28, 2021 – Boston Celtics guard Marcus Smart has been suspended one game without pay for directing threatening language toward a game official, it was announced today by Kiki VanDeWeghe, Executive Vice President, Basketball Operations.
The incidents took place during and after the Celtics’ 119-115 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on April 27 at TD Garden.
Smart will serve his suspension tonight when the Celtics play host to the Charlotte Hornets at TD Garden.
HOUSTON’S PORTER JR. FINED
NEW YORK, April 28, 2021 – Houston Rockets guard Kevin Porter Jr. has been fined $50,000 for violating the league’s Health and Safety Protocols, which among other things prohibit attending indoor social gatherings of 15 or more people or entering bars, lounges, clubs or similar establishments, it was announced today by Byron Spruell, President, League Operations.
Porter Jr. violated these rules when he attended a club in Miami on April 19.
NBA AND NBPA ANNOUNCE COVID-19 TEST RESULTS
NEW YORK, April 28, 2021 – Of the 488 players tested for COVID-19 since April 21, two new players have returned confirmed positive tests.
Anyone who has returned a confirmed positive test, or has been identified as having been in close contact to an infected person, is isolated or quarantined until they are cleared under the rules established by the NBA and the Players Association in accordance with CDC guidance.
Draw results in for FIBA U19 Basketball World Cups 2021 |
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APRIL 28, 2021BERLIN (Germany) - The groups for this summer's FIBA U19 Basketball World Cups 2021 were confirmed at Wednesday's draw ceremony, with participating countries discovering their opponents. Teams for both the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup 2021 and the FIBA U19 Women's Basketball World Cup 2021 were divided into four groups of four teams each. The 15th edition of the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup will take place in the cities of Riga and Daugavpils, in Latvia, from July 3 to 11. The results of the draw are as follows: |
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The 14th edition of the FIBA U19 Women's Basketball World Cup is to be played in Debrecen, Hungary, from August 7 to 15. The results of that draw are as follows:
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Both draws were livestreamed on FIBA's YouTube channel. Eight different countries have won the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup since its inception in 1979, with the reigning champions USA leading the field with seven titles. The USA won the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup 2019 in Crete, Greece, after defeating Mali in the Final. Introduced in 1985, the FIBA U19 Women's Basketball World Cup has seen five different winners, the USA having captured the trophy a remarkable eight times in 13 editions of the competition. They reached the top of the podium at the FIBA U19 Women's Basketball World Cup 2019 in Bangkok, Thailand, beating Australia in overtime in the Final. Media professionals registered in the FIBA Media Portal will be able to apply for the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup 2021 as of Monday, May 24. The deadline to apply is Friday, June 25. For the FIBA U19 Women's Basketball World Cup 2021, media professionals registered in the FIBA Media Portal will be able to apply as of Monday, July 5, with a deadline of Friday, July 30. |
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DENVER NUGGETS AND GRAND RAPIDS DRIVE PARTNER AS SINGLE AFFILIATES BEGINNING WITH THE 2021-22 SEASON NEW YORK, April 27, 2021 – The NBA G League, Denver Nuggets and Grand Rapids Drive today announced that the teams have entered into a single affiliation “hybrid” partnership beginning with the 2021-22 season. As hybrid affiliates, the Nuggets will control the Drive’s basketball operations and existing local ownership in Grand Rapids, Mich., led by Steve Jbara and a team of investors, will oversee the franchise’s business operations and community engagement. Grand Rapids, which will announce a new name and identity in the coming weeks, was previously the hybrid affiliate of the Detroit Pistons. “The NBA G League continues to be an essential destination for player development, and I’m so pleased to welcome the Kroenke family and the Denver Nuggets to the league,” said NBA G League President Shareef Abdur-Rahim. “Steve Jbara and his team in Grand Rapids run an outstanding organization and I’m excited for this partnership to take both teams to new heights.” “We are extremely excited about this partnership and look forward to what the future holds for our franchises,” said Nuggets President of Basketball Operations Tim Connelly. “We know that Grand Rapids is an excellent organization and the collaboration we can have with our own G League team is something that will be hugely beneficial to our players, staff and organization. It’s just a great situation for all parties involved.” The Nuggets have frequently used the NBA G League for player development over the last four seasons, assigning seven players and transferring seven two-way players through the flexible assignment and transfer processes. Additionally, Denver assistant coaches John Beckett and Jordi Fernandez boast NBA G League coaching experience with the Delaware Blue Coats and Canton Charge, respectively. Since the start of the 2014-15 season, 10 Grand Rapids players have earned Gatorade Call-Ups to the NBA. Former Drive head coach Rex Walters is currently an assistant coach with the New Orleans Pelicans. “I couldn’t be more thrilled to announce our partnership with Denver and am excited to welcome the Nuggets to Michigan and the Grand Rapids family,” said Jbara. “This partnership is a true testament to the Nuggets’ commitment to development and we’re so happy to be able to help the team continue those initiatives in Grand Rapids for years to come.” About the NBA G League The NBA’s official minor league, the NBA G League prepares players, coaches, officials, trainers and front-office staff for the NBA while acting as the league’s research and development laboratory. Featuring 29 teams, 28 with direct affiliations to NBA franchises for 2020-21, the league offers elite professional basketball at an affordable price in a fun, family-friendly atmosphere. A record 45 percent of all NBA players at the start of the 2020-21 season boasted NBA G League experience. In fostering the league’s connection to the community, its teams, players and staff promote health and wellness, support local needs and interests, and assist in educational development through NBA Cares programs. About Kroenke Sports & Entertainment Denver-based Kroenke Sports & Entertainment (KSE) is one of the world's leading ownership, entertainment and management groups. KSE’s portfolio of professional sports teams and venues include: Arsenal F.C. (EPL), the Los Angeles Rams (NFL), Denver Nuggets (NBA), Colorado Avalanche (NHL), Colorado Rapids (MLS), Colorado Mammoth (NLL), SoFi Stadium, Emirates Stadium, Ball Arena, Dick’s Sports Goods Park and the Historic Paramount Theatre. Additional properties under KSE's umbrella include Altitude Sports & Entertainment, a 24-hour regional television network and Altitude Authentics, the company's official retail provider. About the Grand Rapids Drive The Grand Rapids Drive are a member of the NBA G League and affiliated with the Denver Nuggets. The organization is committed to providing an elite level of basketball to the West Michigan community, while also investing in and contributing to the West Michigan community. The team is owned by SSJ Group LLC. For more information about the organization, visit https://grandrapids.gleague.nba.com/ or follow the team on its social media channels.
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NBA 2K LEAGUE TO TIP OFF 2021 SEASON MAY 19
– Eastern and Western Conferences Implemented for First Time –
– NBA 2K League Playoffs Delivered by DoorDash Expand to 12 Teams –
NEW YORK, April 27, 2021 – The NBA 2K League today announced its 2021 regular-season schedule and season-long competition structure. The 16-week season will begin Wednesday, May 19 with THE TIPOFF Powered by AT&T, and will conclude Saturday, Sept. 4 with the 2021 NBA 2K League Finals Delivered by DoorDash. The 23 teams will play 28 regular-season games each.
For the first time, the NBA 2K League will be aligned into two conferences: the Eastern Conference and the Western Conference. Each team will play matchups both within its conference and against teams in the other conference. The teams in each conference are listed below:
- Eastern Conference
- 76ers GC, Celtics Crossover Gaming, Gen.G Tigers of Shanghai, Grizz Gaming, Hawks Talon GC, Heat Check Gaming, Hornets Venom GT, Knicks Gaming, Magic Gaming, Nets GC, Raptors Uprising GC and Wizards District Gaming
- Western Conference
- Bucks Gaming, Blazer5 Gaming, Cavs Legion GC, Jazz Gaming, Kings Guard Gaming, Lakers Gaming, Mavs Gaming, Pacers Gaming, Pistons GT, T-Wolves Gaming and Warriors Gaming Squad
Also new this year, the field for the 2021 NBA 2K League Playoffs Delivered by DoorDash has expanded to 12 teams. The playoffs will begin Thursday, Aug. 26.
Each NBA 2K League team will begin the 2021 season playing remotely from its local market. Games will be simulcast live on the NBA 2K League’s Twitch and YouTube channels, and will be available on Dash Radio, ESRevolution, Loco in India and Sport1 in Europe.
The 2021 season will once again include three in-season tournaments (THE TIPOFF, THE TURN and THE TICKET) as part of THE BANNER CHAIN powered by AT&T. All 23 teams will compete in THE TIPOFF and THE TURN. The top five teams in each conference at the end of the regular season will automatically qualify for the NBA 2K League Playoffs Delivered by DoorDash. The 13 remaining teams will compete in THE TICKET, with the winning teams from each conference earning the 11th and 12th spots in the playoffs. The NBA 2K League will award $1.5 million in prize money across the THE TIPOFF, THE TURN and the playoffs. Additional information is available here.
“After a transformational 2020 season, we are thrilled to bring NBA 2K League action back to fans worldwide in Season 4,” said NBA 2K League President Brendan Donohue. “We’re working toward returning to our live studio experience once we safely can be together, and all fans rooting for their teams around the globe will surely enjoy the rivalries that will develop with the introduction of conferences.”
Regular-season games will begin at 7 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights with four distinct matchups each night. Matchups will be played in a two‑game format. For the first time, regular-season broadcasts will feature nightly themes:
- “NBA 2KL Block Party Wednesdays” will highlight voices around the NBA 2K League community, including influencer personalities.
- “NBA 2KL Bounce Pass Thursdays” will be the league’s most fast-paced nights of gameplay, packing all four matchups into a three-hour window. They will include as many as three games happening simultaneously, and the broadcasts will bounce around to highlight the most exciting action.
- “NBA 2KL Friday Night Fire” will spotlight the week’s marquee matchup with the Game of the Week and dive deep into the stories of the league’s 138 players with never-before-seen content and interviews.
- “NBA 2KL Saturday Night Showdown” will explore new broadcast elements and voices and focus on the hardcore 2K fans by showcasing the game and players through the lens of the league’s most compelling storylines, including rivalries between individual players and teams.
For the latest news and updates on the NBA 2K League, fans can sign up to receive emails at NBA2KLeague.com and follow the NBA 2K League on Twitter (NBA2KLeague), Instagram (nba2kleague), Facebook (NBA 2K League), TikTok (nba2kleague), Twitch (NBA2KLeague) and YouTube (NBA 2K League).
The full 2021 NBA 2K League schedule is below:
- May 19 – 22 THE TIPOFF Powered by AT&T
- May 26 – 29 Regular Season – Week 1
- June 2 – 5 Regular Season – Week 2
- June 9 – 12 Regular Season – Week 3
- June 16 – 19 Regular Season – Week 4
- June 23 – 26 Regular Season – Week 5
- June 30 – July 3 Bye Week
- July 7 – 10 Regular Season – Week 6
- July 14 – 17 THE TURN Powered by AT&T
- July 21 – 24 Regular Season – Week 7
- July 28 – 31 Regular Season – Week 8
- August 4 – 7 Regular Season – Week 9
- August 11 – 14 Regular Season – Week 10
- August 19 – 21 THE TICKET Powered by AT&T
- August 26 – 28 NBA 2K League Playoffs Delivered by DoorDash
- September 4 NBA 2K League Finals Delivered by DoorDash
About the NBA 2K League
The NBA 2K League, a professional esports league co-founded by the NBA and Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (NASDAQ:TTWO), launched in 2018 and features the best NBA 2K players in the world. Each of the league’s 23 teams features six players who compete as unique characters in 5-on-5 play against the other teams in a mix of regular-season games, tournaments and playoffs. NBA 2K League partners include Anheuser-Busch, AT&T, Champion Athleticwear, Dash Radio, DoorDash, ESRevolution, Loco, Mondelēz International, Raynor Gaming, SAP, SCUF Gaming, Snickers, Sony Interactive Entertainment, Sport1, Twitch, Wilson and YouTube. For more information about the NBA 2K League, visit NBA2KLeague.com.
