2019 MVP Award Finalist, Member of 2020 NBA 2K League All-Rookie Team and One of League’s Premiere Secondary Ballhandlers Will Return to Hawks Talon Next Season
Hawks Talon Gaming Club, the official NBA 2K League affiliate of the Atlanta Hawks, today announced that they will retain both BP (Michael Diaz-Cruz), KEL (Mykel Wilson) and LEE (Lee Lamb) for the upcoming 2021 NBA 2K League Season. At the end of each season, teams are required to retain at least two players. If a team decides to retain a third player, they will lose their 2021 fourth-round draft pick. Hawks Talon finished with a 7-9 record this past season, just shy of making the playoffs. BP led the team in both points per game (26.4) and assists per game (7.8), LEE led the team in both rebounds per game (12.3) and blocks per game (2.4) and KEL finished second on the team in points per game (16.6).
“We are thrilled to have BP, KEL and LEE return to Hawks Talon next season,” said Hawks Talon GC Team Manager and Head Coach Wesley Acuff. “This past season, both players showed their elite abilities at their respective positions, and we are confident that they will continue to grow and be key contributors as we create a championship culture.”
In 2020, Hawks Talon’s BP was the team’s primary ballhandler and continued to establish himself as one of the league’s elite playmakers after finishing 14th in the league in points per game (26.4) and eighth in the league in assists per game (7.8). During the 2019 campaign, BP finished as a finalist for both the Intel Performance NBA 2K League MVP Award as well as the NBA 2K League Rookie of the Year. Hawks Talon GC acquired BP in a 2019 offseason trade with Kings Guard Gaming, the official NBA 2K League affiliate of the Sacramento Kings.
After being drafted with Hawks Talon’s 2020 first-round (16th overall) selection, LEE was named to the 2020 NBA 2K League All-Rookie Team. During the 2020 season, he set the franchise mark with 20 double-double single-game performances. Additionally, he finished ranked 11th in the entire league in both average rebounds per game (12.3) and blocks per game (2.4).
In the 2020 Draft, Hawks Talon selected Atlanta’s own KEL with their second-round (38th overall) selection. Throughout the 2020 season, KEL stood out in a role as the team’s secondary ballhandler and finished fourth among shooting guards in the entire 2K League in average points per game (16.6). In 2019, he played for both Magic Gaming, the official affiliate of the Orlando Magic, and Grizz Gaming, the official affiliate of the Memphis Grizzlies.
As a result of retaining three players, Hawks Talon will have their original first-round, second-round and third-round draft picks in the upcoming 2021 NBA 2K League Draft.