NEW YORK – The NBA 2K League today announced the pool of 265 players who are eligible for the 2021 NBA 2K League Draft, which will be held virtually on Saturday, March 13 at 7 p.m. ET and livestreamed on the NBA 2K League’s Twitch and YouTube channels.

The 265 draft-eligible players consist of 175 players who earned eligibility through the NBA 2K League Draft Prospect Series, 22 players from international qualifying events over the last two offseasons, five players from the NBA 2K League’s Women in Gaming initiative, five players who were identified by the NBA 2K League and its teams as high-performing players in the 2K community, and 58 unretained players from the 2020 season.  The offseason evaluation process also featured events for teams to evaluate only draft-eligible players competing against each other, including the NBA 2K League Draft Prospect Series Showcase and the NBA 2K League Combine.  A complete list of draft-eligible players is available here*.

This year’s draft pool includes a record 33 international players from nine countries – Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, Singapore, Spain, Turkey and the U.K. – and a record 10 women, who earned eligibility through both the NBA 2K League Draft Prospect Series and the NBA 2K League’s Women in Gaming initiative.  Fans can visit the NBA 2K League YouTube channel to meet some of the members of this year’s class in the NBA 2K League original content series, “Draft Hopefuls.”

At the conclusion of the four-round draft, all 23 NBA 2K League teams will have completed their six-person rosters.  Lakers Gaming has the first overall pick, Pacers Gaming has the second overall pick, and the Gen.G Tigers of Shanghai have the third overall pick.  For the complete draft order, click here.

“The 2020-21 offseason evaluation process was our most extensive to date, including 38 team-hosted tournaments as part of the NBA 2K League Draft Prospect Series, three international qualifying tournaments, a revamped Women in Gaming initiative and our first combine solely for draft-eligible players,” said NBA 2K League President Brendan Donohue.  “We’re looking forward to an exciting draft night as our teams add 63 of the best 2K players in the world in advance of our fourth season.”

For the first time, fans watching the draft will have access to a variety of viewing options through Twitch’s Command Center, including 2v2 MyPark games with former NBA 2K League players and draftees; live interviews with draftees; and the Virtual VIP Lounge featuring influencers Champ2K, Dominus, Dribble2Much, KILLA KAY, KRYPTO9095, Miro and Overtime Megan.  The broadcast will also feature special guests announcing select picks, including hip-hop artists 2 Chainz (Hawks Talon GC) and Big Latto (Hawks Talon GC), Boston Celtics President Rich Gotham (CLTX Crossover Gaming), seven-time NBA Champion Robert Horry (Lakers Gaming), Executive Vice President of Operations for Hornets Sports & Entertainment James Jordan (Hornets Venom GT), Philadelphia 76ers President of Basketball Operations Daryl Morey (76ers GC) and former NBA player Quentin Richardson (Magic Gaming), as well as a live musical performance by hip-hop recording group ISO INDIES.

Scott Cole will return to host the 2021 NBA 2K League Draft alongside color commentator, esports host and broadcaster Malik Forte, NBA 2K League sideline reporter Autumn Johnson and sports host Ms.Basketball, who will serve as the Virtual VIP Lounge host.  Additionally, sports and video game journalist Brian Mazique of Forbes.com and Heavy.com has joined the NBA 2K League as an insider and beat writer.  Beginning with the 2021 Draft, Mazique will appear on NBA 2K League broadcasts throughout the season and will cover the league for NBA2KLeague.com.

First round selections and select additional players will be available to media via Zoom after their selection.  Media interested in attending Zoom availabilities with draftees must RSVP to Devon Garden (dgarden@nba.com) by Saturday, March 13.

For more information, fans can follow the NBA 2K League on Twitter (NBA2KLeague), Instagram (nba2kleague), Facebook  (NBA 2K League), TikTok (nba2kleague), Twitch (NBA2KLeague) and YouTube (NBA 2K League) and visit NBA2KLeague.com.

*Draft pool is subject to change