From The Racetrack to the NBA 2K League

From the Cranbourne racetrack to the NBA 2K League.

That’s the journey Harry ‘RealHvzn’ Spierings has taken to create history by becoming the inaugural NBL Oz Gaming player.

In a lifechanging moment for the 21-year-old point guard out of Melbourne, RealHvzn will relocate to the United States to compete for NBL Oz Gaming.

Along with the all-expenses paid relocation, he will be paid a base salary, get medical insurance and a retirement plan, and have the chance to win his share in up to $2.5 million USD in prize money across the season.

“Right now, I work at a horse racetrack…I work there every day and then when I get home, I play 2K,” RealHvzn explained.

“I prepare the track for race days, whether that’s mowing grass or moving the rail, whatever needs to be done. My dad is the track manager. He used to tell me to get off the game until about three days ago and now he is all for it.

“About two years ago I won the APAC invitational and won MVP. From then on, I realised I could make the League and turn it into a job.

“(It feels) a bit surreal…I don’t think it has hit me yet. I’ve never been to another country before, so this seems pretty crazy. Going to live in the USA and get paid to do something I love is pretty special and even better that I get to play for an Australian team in a global league.”

When asked if he ever thought 2K would change his life, RealHvzn said “no chance”.

RealHvzn dominated at last weekend’s NBA 2K League Australia Invitational, a performance which saw him secure the contract.

He led the tournament in assists with 8.86 per game to go along with 15.71 points, including a clutch step-back three-pointer in Game 1 of the Grand Final.

Having been draft eligible for the past three years, RealHvzn will now become just the second Australian to make the NBA 2K League, following in the footsteps of Meason ‘xMilo—' Camille, who used to play for Pistons GT.

“To be from (Australia) and have an opportunity like this, it opens it up for others in the future and makes people think they have a chance,” RealHvzn said.

“That’s one of the biggest parts for me is opening it up for others. There is a lot of people here who see that as a goal for them, so if I can help with that, it would be a good thing for the whole nation.”

NBL Oz Gaming coach Mitchell ‘Mootyy’ Franklin is excited to have RealHvzn signed as the inaugural player.

“We are so excited to have RealHvzn leading NBL Oz Gaming into next season as our point guard,” Mootyy said.

“We were blown away by his talent, confidence and composure at the first ever Australian Invitational. He stepped up in the clutch moments and wasn’t daunted by the big stage.

“He epitomises everything we want in an NBL Oz Gaming player, from a skillset and a character perspective.

“We are looking forward to getting him over to America and getting the best out of his abilities and potential.”

NBL Oz Gaming’s roster will continue to grow at the NBA 2K League Expansion draft tomorrow.