Magic Gaming’s Unguardable Inspired by NBA All-Star Weekend Experience

PRESS RELEASE:

February 18, 2024

Magic Gaming’s Unguardable Inspired by NBA All-Star Weekend Experience

The Orlando Magic organization and its offshoots are well represented at the 2024 NBA All-Star Weekend.

Magic forward Paolo Banchero appeared in events on all three nights, including the Panini Rising Stars, the Kia Skills Challenge, and the main event, the NBA All-Star Game. Two-way players Kevon Harris and Trevelin Queen represented both the Magic and their G League club by participating in the Up Next Game. And after shining in the Rising Stars, the Osceola Magic’s Mac McClung successfully defended his Slam Dunk contest title.

Sitting courtside right behind McClung as he prepared for some of those jaw-dropping jams was another representative of the Magic organization. Magic Gaming’s Joshua “unguardable” Hunter had one of the best seats in the entire house as McClung earned a 50 and secured the Slam Dunk contest victory by throwing down a jam over Shaquille O’Neal, who just so happened to have his jersey retired by the Magic right before the All-Star break.

“I had amazing seats,” unguardable explained. “It was crazy. NBA players turning around and talking (to me). Seeing them live, seeing them walk past and be with their families, it was all surreal to me. Mac McClung won, which was cool, and we took a picture together after with the trophy, which was also (amazing). It was a surreal night.”

Unguardable, a two-time NBA 2K League All-Star Game MVP in his own right, was at NBA All-Star Weekend as a brand ambassador to help grow the 2KL. He appeared at the “NBA 2K League Alley,” an immersive, basketball and Japanese-inspired event space, which celebrated the game of basketball through music, food, anime, and NBA 2K.

The NBA 2K League Alley featured a lineup of special guests, including NBA players Tyrese Haliburton, Tyrese Maxey, and Obi Toppin, NFL players Micah Parson and Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner, Ronnie 2K, content creators CashNasty, Troydan, ZackTTG, and AnnoyingTV, and other 2KL players. There were plenty of activations on site, including gaming stations with NBA 2K and competitions among players, athletes, influencers, and fans.

“Seeing the league try to grow in this way is just amazing,” said unguardable, who got the opportunity to play alongside Parsons and go head-to-head with Gardner. “They’ve always tried to have some innovation and I think this was a big step. The turnout was pretty good, especially with having the athletes and influencers come. People want to see that. But then, everyone gets to see that the game isn’t as easy as advertised. It’s just a video game, but it takes a certain level of skill to be one of the best at it. Now, they’ve all seen that.”

Being around so much greatness was an inspiration to Magic Gaming’s floor general. After rubbing elbows with NBA stars and legends, NFL studs, and some of the world’s most popular influences, unguardable is eager to get to work this season.

“Being around all of that, it inspired me to want to be great for the Magic and win,” he explained. “I spoke with some of the DeVos family members (at All-Star) and told them that they can hold me to the fact that we’re going to have a good season this year. But it was also deeper than that. It made me want to stream and take it seriously. I feel I can do what the influencers do as well if I put the consistency and dedication behind it. (The experience) just made me want to be better (in all aspects).”

It’s more than just lip service from Magic Gaming’s point guard, who was named to the 2023 USA Basketball E-National Team. When he did his daily touch base with Magic Gaming General Manager and Head Coach Jonah Edwards, he let him know that not only was he on his way home, but that upon landing in Orlando, he was going to go directly from the airport to the team’s practice facility to take part in the squad’s scrimmages.

“Being the leader of the team now, if they see that I’m a big name in the league and I come (right off a flight) to practice and work hard, it will (help inspire them),” he explained. “I just want to lead by example. I feel like this is something I can do to help that.”

Magic Gaming tips off their season in less than two weeks. Orlando opens its 2024 NBA 2K League campaign on Thursday, Feb. 29 at 6 p.m. ET when they face off against Pistons GT to begin group play in ‘SLAM OPEN’ 3v3 tournament.

The team has been impressive in scrimmages thus far and major offseason addition Ashton “LowkeyGodlike” Agredano, who was named a Rookie of the Year finalist, claimed a banner title, a tournament MVP award, and a 3v3 championship for DUX Infinitos in his inaugural 2KL season, has already exceeded expectations.

“Honestly, I think that LowkeyGodlike – and I’ve told multiple people this already – he’s the best player I’ve ever played with,” unguardable said. “The most talented player, it has to be him.”

Catch all the 2KL action this season on Twitch (NBA2KLeague) and YouTube (NBA 2K League).

About Magic Gaming

Magic Gaming, based in Orlando, Fla., is one of 25 teams competing in the NBA 2K League entering its seventh season. The NBA 2K League is a professional esports league co-founded by the NBA and Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc., which began play in May 2018. The league features the best 125 NBA 2K players in the world. Magic Gaming’s five-man roster competes as unique characters in 5-on-5 and 3-on-3 play against the other teams in a mix of regular-season games, tournaments and playoffs. Follow Magic Gaming on Twitch – OrlandoMagicGaming, Instagram/Twitter – @MagicGaming, Facebook/Magic Gaming or at MagicGaming.nba.com/.