Magic Gaming Selects Jboolin and Snubby in 2024 NBA 2K League Draft

ORLANDO – Magic Gaming overhauled their roster this offseason in an attempt to construct a championship-caliber squad.

They not only acquired established top-tier talent but also secured a pair of high-end draft picks to round out their roster.

On Thursday, Magic Gaming put those selections to use when they used the No. 3 overall pick in the 2024 NBA 2K League Draft to select Julian “Jboolin” Manzanares and the No. 34 overall selection to nab Justin “Snubby” Stemerman.

“It takes aggressive moves in sports to be a championship-level team,” said Magic Gaming General Manager and Head Coach Jonah Edwards. “We’re thrilled about where we stand right now. But we’re going to be very one game at a time right now. That’s going to be the type of focus it takes to be successful.”

Jboolin is expected to play power forward for Orlando in 5v5 and be the team’s primary lockdown defender in 3v3 action. He’s known as an aggressive defender and for forcing unconventional turnovers.

“We’re absolutely thrilled to get him,” Edwards explained. “He’s a great kid. He’s from the area. He has immense upside and can play the game at a high level. The sky is the limit for him.”

As Orlando’s GM and head coach indicated, Jboolin is a Kissimmee, Florida native and currently resides in Ocala. As he heard his name called and walked across the 2KL Draft stage, which just so happened to be at Full Sail University in Orlando, it was hard for him to picture the night going any better.

“It’s been really exciting,” said Jboolin. “I was hoping and praying that I would fall to three. Now that I get to stay home, I’m just grateful for everything.”

After selecting Jboolin, Orlando traded the No. 16 overall pick to Portland for the No. 34 overall selection and a future first round pick (via Detroit). Magic Gaming then used that selection to grab Snubby, who spent two seasons with Orlando before becoming the team’s assistant last year.

“Snubby is an incredibly high IQ individual,” Edwards explained. “He made the transition to lockdown a couple of years ago. He’s going to fit right into that role for us (in 5v5). Believe it or not, Jboolin’s top lock in the draft was Snubby. We’re able to pair him with a guy who I know is mature. This is no surprise to anybody, (Snubby) is my favorite player that I ever coached. He spent last season as our team assistant. We didn’t want to go a year without him. It came full circle. He has incredible offensive upside as well. He played guard in the league and has the ability to be a playmaker from the corner.”

Those two players join a roster with elite talent. Orlando’s one returning player from the 2023 campaign is point guard Joshua “unguardable” Hunter, who was named the 2023 NBA 2K League All-Star Game MVP in both game modes.

Big man Ashton “LowkeyGodlike” Agredano, who Orlando acquired earlier this offseason, is fresh off a rookie season in which he was named SWITCH OPEN MVP and played an integral role in helping his former squad capture not only a banner title but the 2023 2KL 3v3 championship as well.

The team also features shooting guard Darjean “ReturnOfDJ” Henderson, who was acquired from the Gen.G Tigers of Shanghai just a couple of weeks ago. About to enter his third season in the 2KL, ReturnOfDJ played in 23 5v5 games last season, averaging 20.1 points, 3.0 assists and just over one assist per contest while shooting 53 percent from the field and 47.5 from 3-point range.

“I have real high aspirations for where this team can go,” said Jboolin. “I’m going to be playing with really special players. Lowkey just won a 3v3 championship, Josh being the All-Star caliber player he is. I think I have a lot to learn from them. That will just make me better overall.”

While Magic Gaming is certainly confident that their team can be contenders in both game modes, in the wake of the 2KL Draft, they have emerged as one of the frontrunners for the upcoming 3v3 season. Unguardable and LowkeyGodlike have had success in the mode and Jboolin was viewed as one of the top 3v3 players in the draft.

“I feel confident that we have the most talented 3v3 group in the entire league,” said Edwards. “Whether or not we’re going to win, that’s the question. It’ll take some time to adjust Jboolin to a new position in the 3v3 mode as well as get used to the league build when it comes on February 1. Until then, it’s hard to not feel like we don’t have top to bottom the most talented potential roster in the mode. We’re absolutely thrilled to be able to say that.”