NBL Oz Gaming overcame all odds in their inaugural season of the 2023 NBA 2K League.
“Even the most unlikely underdogs can rise to greatness,” NBL Oz Gaming head coach, Mitchell ‘Mootyy’ Franklin told NBL Media.
NBL Oz Gaming finished second in the 5v5 2023 NBA 2K League season, making them the first international expansion team to reach the Playoffs. As a collective, the side took home more than AUD $330k in prize money.
<html><head></head><body><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en">We end our inaugural season as runners up in the <a href="https://twitter.com/NBA2KLeague?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NBA2KLeague</a>, putting Australia and the <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NBL</a> on the <a href="https://twitter.com/NBA2K?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NBA2K</a> map ??<br><br>Thanks to everyone who supported us on the journey. Best believe the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DownUnderdogs?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DownUnderdogs</a> will bounce back ? <a href="https://t.co/emORXYR0Rr">pic.twitter.com/emORXYR0Rr</a></p>— NBL Oz Gaming ??? (@nblozgaming) <a href="https://twitter.com/nblozgaming/status/1687961368761405440?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 5, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></body></html>
Aussie NBA 2K League rookie, Harry ‘RealHvzn’ Spierings, created history on multiple occasions in his first season in the US. He was the first ever non-North American player in the 5v5 finals, and claimed a Player of the Week Award.
“It was truly an honour to witness the guys grow not only as players but as men. I'm truly humbled and grateful for everything this season,” Franklin said.
“I believe that NBL Oz Gaming's remarkable season became a tale of triumph, reminding us all that with determination, teamwork, and the refusal to succumb to doubt.”
<html><head></head><body><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en">.<a href="https://twitter.com/nblozgaming?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@nblozgaming</a> went from selecting the Australian native <a href="https://twitter.com/RealHvzn?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RealHvzn</a> to playing in every in-person tournament and the NBA 2KL 5v5 Finals. The future is bright! ?? <a href="https://t.co/oMy1QBUJHd">pic.twitter.com/oMy1QBUJHd</a></p>— NBA 2K League (@NBA2KLeague) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBA2KLeague/status/1688648827677413376?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 7, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></body></html>
The squad was built from the bottom, with 'Mootyy' coming in as a head coach for the first time. On top of their runners-up position, NBL Oz Gaming won the Eastern Conference, and were the only team to reach the big stage in every tournament.
“This season by NBL Oz Gaming will no doubt go down in the NBA 2K League history books,” Franklin said.
“From being projected as one of the worst teams in both modes, to being the only team to qualify for every single tournament and Playoffs ... in the end we defied all odds and did the unthinkable of winning the Eastern Conference Finals and making it to the 5v5 Championship,” he said.
<html><head></head><body><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en">Season 1? for <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NBL</a> Oz Gaming:<br><br>? Eastern Conference Champs<br>? More than AUD $330k in prize money<br>? Only team to make Stage in every tournament<br><br>Not bad from the team from Down Under ?? <a href="https://t.co/vdyToBzNji">pic.twitter.com/vdyToBzNji</a></p>— NBL Oz Gaming ??? (@nblozgaming) <a href="https://twitter.com/nblozgaming/status/1687968306450292736?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 5, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></body></html>
Despite some doubters along the way, the former New York Knicks assistant coach praised the outstanding NBL squad and all that they have achieved.
“Remember, success in the NBA 2K League, like any endeavour, requires dedication, teamwork, adaptability, and a relentless drive to improve. This team showed all of that this season and more.”
