NBA Announces Players-Only NBA2K20 Tournament On ESPN

The NBA has announced a 16-player NBA 2K20 tournament with only NBA players, to be broadcast on ESPN starting April 4.

The tournament is designed to help fill the gap of live sports following the suspension or cancellation of almost every professional sporting competition in the world due to the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic.

It has also been reported by, The Boardroom, notable players in the tournament will include former NBA MVP Kevin Durant, along with NBA all-stars Trae Young, Donovan Mitchell, Devin Booker and DeMarcus Cousins.

The NBA, its players union and NBA 2K announced in a joint statement the tournament is a part of “an ongoing effort to stay connected with NBA fans around the world, while also giving back in this time of need.”

The winner of the tournament will also reported select a charity to receive $100,000 toward its’ Coronavirus efforts.

NBA 2K executive, Jason Argent, said in a statement the tournament will help give some light to the world in such a challenging time.

“We’re thrilled to partner with the NBA and NBPA to bring basketball back to fans throughout the world and to help those in need during these uncertain times,” Argent said.

“Entertainment, especially sports, has the ability to bring communities together, including athletes, fans and families, and we hope that everyone will enjoy the tournament,” he said.

The participating players were seeded according to their respective NBA 2K20 ratings and their tenure in the NBA, with Kevin Durant ranked as the top seed and Trae Young as the second seed.

Each player will participate from the safety of their own homes in the ten day tournament, following the success of other sporting organisations turning to esports during the global sporting hiatus, such as the NFL, Supercars, Nascar, Formula 1 and a number of top football leagues including the English Premier League and Spanish La Liga.