Warriors Gaming Squad 2020 Draft Recap
February 23, 2020
“Did we really just get Slaughter?”
To those sitting in the Warriors Gaming Squad war room on draft day, Team Manager Rustin Lee’s question was blissfully rhetorical. Hunter Leigh, the Head of Esports for the Golden State Warriors and Golden Guardians, called in the confirmation moments later.
Inside the SF war room when we called in @MrSlaughter01 pic.twitter.com/WBOOLG1KS4
— Warriors Gaming (@WarriorsGaming) February 23, 2020
With the 20th overall pick in the 2020 NBA 2K League Entry Draft, Warriors Gaming Squad selected center Malik “Slaughter” Leisinger. The Ohio native started for Jazz Gaming in the NBA 2K League’s first season, but went unretained after the year despite averaging nearly a double-double for the season. After a year out of the league, Slaughter reasserted himself as one of the top leaders and centers in NBA 2K Pro-Am with a remarkable offseason manning the pivot for a team full of 2020 draft picks. He figures to immediately slot into the Warriors Gaming Squad starting lineup.
Though Slaughter did not attend the draft in person, he was immediately jubilant to join WGS.
“I’m excited to get to work!” the WGS first-rounder gushed. Expecting himself to fall just outside of the lottery, Slaughter paid particular attention to the 15th and 16th overall picks, held by Knicks Gaming and Hawks Talon GC. When the two picks passed without selection of Slaughter, he knew it was time to pack his bags for West coast sunshine. “The Warriors were obviously the team I was looking forward to going to most, because they have four guys there already who are at the top at their positions. My teammates are high energy players that love to play the game so I’m excited and ready to get out there and get to work!!”
Warriors Gaming Squad didn’t stop working after its top selection, making another impactful selection 45 spots later. Rounding out the roster at 65th overall, WGS selected Matthew “Matty” Grant, a point guard from Los Angeles who played in season two with Pacers Gaming. The former Division I college basketball point guard started 16 games throughout the year, including two playoff starts, giving him a special veteran skillset that blends real-life basketball and impressive previous NBA 2K League experience.
“I’m very excited to be a member of the Warriors Gaming family,” Matty said. “Before the draft, I told my Pro-Am team that if I was to go as a 6th man I really hoped it would be to the Warriors. I can’t wait to get to work and help this team in any way possible.”
📢 Announcing the 2020 roster of WGS 📢@CB13 @BsmooveJ @Gradient @Jinsanity
@MrSlaughter01 @uncool_matty pic.twitter.com/OE8aNvo9B8— Warriors Gaming (@WarriorsGaming) February 23, 2020
Both players see themselves fitting in immediately with Warriors Gaming Squad’s four pre-existing players.
“With the success they had last year, they just need a big to come in and fit in well with their scheme to repeat their success and win a championship this year, which I believe would be the case with me on the squad,” Slaughter said. The center sees himself meshing immediately with Warriors Gaming’s pre-existing squad as well as with the WGS staff. Matty, meanwhile, has a close connection with veteran WGS starter Jin “Jin” Choe, and like Slaughter has played with and against Warriors Gaming players for years: “I get to be with one of my best friends in the entire community in Jin, and I have tremendous respect for the other 4 players having competed against them so much.”
After capitalizing on last year’s draft to vault the team into contention, Warriors Gaming Squad is poised to build on its success by adding the top player on the team’s draft board in Slaughter and a perfect sixth man in Matty.
Which is to say, yes, Warriors Gaming Squad really just got Slaughter.
.@BsmooveJ recaps how the 2020 #NBA2KLeagueDraft went for WGS and our new members, @MrSlaughter01 and @uncool_matty pic.twitter.com/SZxmSMcwmk
— Warriors Gaming (@WarriorsGaming) February 23, 2020
TL;SC (Too Long; Skipped Cutscene): Warriors Gaming Squad drafted center Malik “Slaughter” Leisinger 20th overall and point guard Matthew “Matty” Grant 65th overall in the 2020 NBA 2K League Entry Draft. Slaughter averaged 19.4 points and 8.6 rebounds per game for Jazz Gaming in 2018. Matty averaged 12.4 points and 5.7 assists per game for Pacers Gaming in 2019, starting both playoff games. WGS is one of just six teams with an entire roster composed of NBA 2K League veterans.