The NBA 2K League is doubling down on its efforts to increase the participation of female gamers.
On August 20-23, the League will host the first-ever “Women in Gaming” development camp at the NBA 2K League Studio in New York City.
The four-day event will invite 15 of the best amateur female NBA 2K players to a training camp where they will learn from, as well as compete against current NBA 2K League pro players and coaches. The camp aims to prepare these aspiring gamers for the tryout process leading to next season’s draft.
“We believe a more diverse player pool will be a stronger player pool,” said NBA 2K League managing director Brendan Donohue. “This camp will show [that] there are more women who have the talent to play at the highest level.”
In March 2019, the Warriors Gaming Squad drafted Chiquita “ChiquitaE126” Evans, making her the League’s first female player. Evans was one of only two women who entered the 198-player draft pool for the 2019 season.
Playing small forward for the Golden State Warriors’ esports affiliate, Evans proved her worth by helping Warriors Gaming Squad reach this season’s semifinals before losing to the eventual champions, TWolves Gaming.
Heat Check Gaming coach and general manager Derric Franklin pointed out that “there’s no gender when it comes to playing video games” but “a lot of female gamers get discouraged by the [tryout] process early.”
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