Multinational esports organisation Gen.G has relocated its NBA 2K League franchise, the Gen.G Tigers of Shanghai, to the University of Kentucky (UK) ahead of the 2021 season.
The team will practice and compete in the university’s Federal Credit Union Esports Lounge.
The Gen.G Tigers of Shanghai is the only team in the NBA 2K League that is not affiliated with any NBA franchise. For the 2021 season, it will play in the league’s Eastern Conference alongside eleven other teams in a bid to qualify for the playoffs, which take place in August.
Chris Park, CEO of Gen.G, commented on the relocation: “We’ve forged an incredible global relationship with the University of Kentucky, so it’s only natural for our 2K League team to train and compete on the campus of the nation’s winningest college basketball programme.
“UK is a vibrant community with state-of-the-art facilities, and our players are honoured to be the first pro esports team in-residence at a major university.”
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Gen.G and the University of Kentucky have worked together on a number of projects since the two entities entered into a partnership back in October 2019. In April, Gen.G, the University of Kentucky and, scholar association International Studies Abroad (ISA), launched a student exchange programme in South Korea, which offers participating students a four-week stay at Hanyang University or Korea University.
Heath Price, Associate CIO at the University of Kentucky, also spoke on the arrival of the team: “We are proud of our basketball heritage, so we couldn’t be more excited to welcome Gen.G.’s NBA 2K League team to our campus. The team will play at the Cornerstone which has the best internet connectivity east of the Mississippi. They will have our full support.”
Esports Insider says: Throughout the online era of esports, there are a number of variables that can negatively impact competitive play. To ensure the best possible facilities are available for its NBA 2K League team, it makes plenty of sense for Gen.G to relocate.