PHOTO BY KAYSON DAVIS, ORLANDO MAGIC
For the first time in Magic Gaming’s franchise history, one of its players will play in the league’s all-star game.
Joshua Hunter, who plays under the gamer tag “unguardable,” proved to be just that for much of the season, averaging 25.6 points per game while dishing out 11.9 assists.
He shot nearly 60 percent from the field and 52.1 percent from three-point range.
Magic Gaming acquired unguardable in a four-team trade last summer.
Hunter said the all-star game had been a goal since he joined the league last year.
“It’s definitely an honor to be considered one of the best players in the league,” he said in a press release.
First ever all-star
Magic Gaming, one of the original 17 NBA2KLeague franchises at launch in 2018, qualified for the postseason last year for the first time but fell short this season.
Head coach and general manager Jonah Edwards said his point guard is “unmatched.”
“We’re blessed to have him,” he said. “He feels similarly about us and the relationship is as strong as ever.”
Once unguardable arrived in 2022, the team took on a decidedly different personality.
The team qualified for its first playoff appearance by winning its first in-season tournament with unguardable leading the way.
Edwards praised his point guard.
“He’s one of the premier guards in the league and I don’t think there is a debate there,” Edwards said.
The 2023 NBA 2K League All-Star event will take place in New York and include both 5v5 and 3v3 gameplay.
The prize pool for the event will be $30,000. This will be the third year that the league hosts an all-star event.
Joining unguardable on the Eastern Conference All-Star team is guard AntoineLove (Hornets Venom GT), forward DjayTooCold (NBL Oz Gaming), forward DT (76ers GC) and forward Sick One (NBL Oz Gaming). Mitchell “Mootyy” Frankin of NBL Oz Gaming will coach the team.
“It’s just amazing to represent Magic Gaming to be honest,” unguardable said of the honor. “I’m just trying to live up to being their All-Star and everything that’s expected of me. It’s a great feeling. I would do anything for the Magic. They’re a great organization and they (should be) looked at as such.”