Magic Gaming’s Matty Ready to Make Noise in Season Five of NBA 2K League

ORLANDO – Spend just a few moments in Magic Gaming’s studio this season and you’ll notice an audible difference from prior campaigns.

Even during training camp scrimmages there is a steady stream of communication. Rotations are shouted out, defensive assignments are identified, placement on the offensive end of the floor is called, and words of encouragement are plentiful.

At the heart of that dialogue is a new face in the room, Matt “Matty” Grant. Orlando’s selection with the 19th overall pick in the 2022 NBA 2K League Draft has made an instant impression on both his head coach and teammates alike with his positive presence, veteran leadership, and on-court abilities.

“It’s completely night and day,” said Magic Gaming General Manager and Head Coach Jonah Edwards. “Matty and (Justin “Kapp” Kaplan) both have made my job a lot easier so far. I don’t feel like I have to call anything out. They’re calling out the rotations. My job (now) is more breaking down what they are and what the spots and roles are for everyone, which is kind of how it should be. It makes everyone’s job so much easier.”

Matty’s vocalness is a skill that he’s honed over the years. Prior to entering the NBA 2K League in season two, Magic Gaming’s new small forward was a Division I Men’s Basketball player at the University of Detroit Mercy.

There, he learned key elements of sportsmanship and teamwork that have served him well throughout the course of his time in this league. Whereas many players in 2K come from a traditional esports background, which has a culture of team-hopping when moments get rough, Matty is cut from a different cloth.

“You have to be able to work with what you have,” said Matty of what he learned from his college hoops experience. “I think that’s my biggest strength, is that I’m able to work with what I have, and I think I’m really good at building people’s confidence up.”

Upon entering the league, Matty was tasked with being a point guard for Pacers Gaming. Surrounded by a team of experienced gamers in Indiana such as Ramo “Ramo” Radoncic, Brent “Lord Beezus” Aasgaard, Bryant “WolF” Colon, and Damien “Man_in_a_car” D’Amore, Matty credits that cast for much of his 2K development.

In season three, Matty joined Warriors Gaming Squad and slid over to power forward, playing in approximately half of their games. In a year where Golden State made an NBA 2K Finals run, he picked up on winning traits from teammates such as Alex “Bsmoove” Reese and Jin “Jin” Choe.

By season four, Matt had one of the most respected voices in his team’s locker room, even though he was serving primarily as the organization’s sixth man. In one key playoff game against Minnesota where Golden State was struggling, prized point guard Charlie “CB13” Bostwick turned to Matty for advice, valuing his insight at a key point in the team’s season.

“I coached him through that moment and through that entire game,” said Matty, whose team eventually went on to defeat Minnesota and advance to the next round. “I’m looking forward to doing that with Kapp.”

In fact, assisting in the growth of Kapp’s development was one of the many factors that went into Orlando’s decision to draft Matty in advance of season five. Kapp is a rookie tasked with being Magic Gaming’s point guard. Although the 10th overall pick in this year’s draft has played the game competitively for less than two years, he comes with an immense long-term upside. Like Matty, he was also a D-I athlete, and just so happens to play the game similarly to CB13, who coincidentally is one of his best friends.

“It’s really crazy because the way he talks and the way he plays the game is exactly like (CB13),” said Matty. “I got here, and he immediately started talking and I was like ‘there is no way I’m dealing with the same person.’ (laughter) I’m dealing with the same kid all over again.”

Orlando hopes that Matty can help take some additional pressure off of Kapp by serving as a secondary playmaker from the lockdown position as the first-year floor general acclimates to league play. Matty’s wisdom and vision for the game will also serve as an added bonus to help groom a player with high expectations.

“I think the ceiling is so high for that kid,” said Matty of Kapp. “He’s such a good person too. I really love him to death already and I’ve only been here with him for two weeks.”

While the intangibles are a large part of Matty’s makeup, he also brings plenty of on-court skill. Orlando’s head coach has been blown away by how quickly the California native has picked up on the lockdown position and believes he has a chance to quickly develop into one the 2K League’s premier small forwards.

“He’s a threat when he touches it whether it’s a drive and look to kick, whether it’s him as a shooter, whether it’s a set shot or whatever it may be, we feel we have the complete green light to run whatever set where Matty ends up shooting any shot or is in position with the ball to make a play,” Edwards explained. “I have to tell you, that is not a normal feeling with lockdowns in the 2K League. There are obviously a handful that you do feel that way, but we’re talking about the best players in the world.”

On the defensive end, along with his communication, the small forward brings a competitive edge. In a league where lockdowns are tasked with guarding opposing point guards, he has an advantage over many of his peers having previously played the position himself. His ability as an on-ball disruptor coupled with his dedication to team defensive principles have stood out as he operates pick-and-roll defense with Magic Gaming power forward Robert “May” May at an extremely high level.

“I have super high expectations for those two as a pick-and-roll duo on defense,” Edwards said. “Their games blend together very, very nicely. They’re the perfect blend of aggression mixed with mixing it up, mixed with playing things straight up from time to time. We can throw in so many things on defense now that it’s hard for opponents to get a read. A lot of that is a credit to them and how comfortable they are with one another and trust in one another.”

The potential of being part of an elite level defensive duo was one of the first thoughts that crossed Matty’s mind when he received that draft night call.

“I really think the sky is the limit,” Matty explained. “Honestly, when I first got the call from Jonah, the first thing I thought of was, man, I get to have Robbie May guard pick-and-roll behind me. I think that he is so good. For years, I’ve always admired Robbie’s game in pick-and-roll, especially defensively.”

Though they’ve yet to take the floor in a regular season game together, Matty likes what he sees in Orlando’s locker room. Rookie center Blaine “Reign” Wilson’s offensive capabilities have already stood out and shooting guard Justin “Snubby” Stemerman provides the team with another playmaker outside of the point guard position. He’s confident as long as the team can drown out the outside noise and remain levelheaded over the course of the season, they can accomplish a lot as a group in this upcoming campaign.

“I think we could be special,” Matty said.

Magic Gaming will get their first opportunity to make their 2022 campaign something “special” in THE TIPOFF tournament, which starts on April 5.