Basketball Superstars Turn to NBA 2K20 in Televised Charity Tournament

With virtually every major sporting event either cancelled or postponed, some of NBA’s biggest names like Kevin Durant and Trae Young are turning to video games. The inaugural NBA 2K Players Tournament will get underway on ESPN and ESPN2 this week, as superstars compete over a $100,000 beneficiary in support of “ongoing coronavirus relief efforts”.

Here’s the overview from 2K Sports: “Based on players’ seeding – which is determined first by NBA 2K rating, second by tenure – players will go head-to-head online in NBA 2K20. Prior to the tournament beginning, every player will choose eight of today’s NBA teams, each of which can only be used once. If a mirror match is set, the away team is awarded first choice of team. Rounds one and two will be single elimination, with the semi-finals and finals running best of three.”

These are the players currently participating, though the press release does note that the lineup is subject to change:

1. Kevin Durant, Brooklyn Nets (96)
2. Trae Young, Atlanta Hawks (90)
3. Hassan Whiteside, Portland Trail Blazers (87)
4. Donovan Mitchell, Utah Jazz (87)
5. Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns (86)
6. Andre Drummond, Cleveland Cavaliers (85)
7. Zach LaVine, Chicago Bulls (85)
8. Montrezl Harrell, LA Clippers (85)
9. Domantas Sabonis, Indiana Pacers (85)
10. Deandre Ayton, Phoenix Suns (85)
11. DeMarcus Cousins (81)
12. Michael Porter Jr., Denver Nuggets (81)
13. Rui Hachimura, Washington Wizards (79)
14. Patrick Beverley, LA Clippers (78)
15. Harrison Barnes, Sacramento Kings (78)
16. Derrick Jones Jr., Miami Heat (78)

The coverage will begin on 3rd April at 7PM ET, with Durant going head-to-head against Jones Jr. Further matchups will run through 12th April, and you’ll be able to watch on either ESPN or various NBA social channels. Who do you reckon will take the crown? Our money’s on the whipper-snapper Trae Young.