CHAUNTE’L POWELL: Esports the way of the future

The NBA made 102 dreams come true Wednesday by holding a different type of draft.

For everyone who was told they’re too short to make the league, for every armchair coach that has questioned their team’s late-game decisions and felt they could do better and for everyone who’s ever heard “playing video games will get you nowhere,” the NBA 2K League brings hope.

The NBA 2K League is a professional esports league created to let gamers and hardcore NBA fans alike get a taste of life at the next level. It was co-founded by the NBA and Take-Two Interactive, the creators of NBA 2K. Prospective players had to be high school graduates, win 50 games in NBA 2K18’s Pro-Am mode and complete an online application by Jan. 31.

From there, a combine was held with more than 72,000 qualifying candidates playing 40 more games. After the combine, 102 players were selected and drafted by 17 participating NBA franchises in the world-famous Madison Square Garden in New York , with NBA commissioner Adam Silver announcing the first pick.

The inaugural season tips off in May and runs through August and includes a postseason.

Now here’s where the fun numbers come in. There’s more than $1 million in prize money up for grabs this season, in addition to a salary — you heard right — a salary.

Artreyo Boyd, a 23-year-old Cleveland native, was the league’s No. 1 pick this year. He, along with the other 16 first-round selectees, will make $35,000 this season, while the remaining players will make $32,000.

For context, that is more than players in the NBA developmental league, the G-League, make as they cap out around $26,000.

The whole ordeal is an attempt by Silver to continue expanding the NBA’s global brand and connect with fans.

To be honest, while I don’t fully understand it, I respect it. Silver has tried to keep his finger on the pulse of fans and players alike and act accordingly, which is a stark contrast to former commissioner Darth Ster…excuse me, David Stern.

According to venturebeat.com, the global gaming market was predicted to make $99.6 billion, an 8.4 percent increase from the previous year.

With that much money to be made coupled with the success of extreme fan experiences like fantasy football, it would appear as if esports is the way of the future.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go trade my degree in for a PlayStation 4.

Contact Chaunte’l Powell at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @chauntelpowell.