Unguardable: “It’s Amazing to Represent Magic Gaming” in NBA 2K League All-Star Game

ORLANDO – Ever since his arrival in Orlando via a blockbuster trade just over one year ago, Joshua “unguardable” Hunter has helped bring home the hardware for Magic Gaming.

Last season, the second-year standout earned All-Rookie Team honors as a member of the franchise, propelled the organization to its first playoff berths in both 3v3 and 5v5 game modes and led Magic Gaming to their first banner title by winning the STEAL.

Now, unguardable has received another outstanding accolade. Magic Gaming’s point guard was named to the 2023 NBA 2K League All-Star team on Friday, becoming the first player in franchise history to receive the honor.

“It feels amazing, especially because it was one of the goals that I had coming into this league,” said unguardable. “It’s definitely an honor to be considered one of the best players in the league.”

Orlando’s floor general played in 20 5v5 games this season for Magic Gaming, averaging team highs in points (25.6) and assists (11.9) per contest while shooting 59.6 percent from the field and 52.1 percent from 3-point range.

“He brings a level of play that’s unmatched by others across the league,” said Magic Gaming General Manager and Head Coach Jonah Edwards. “We’re blessed to have him. He feels similarly about us, and the relationship is as strong as ever.”

There’s no doubt that unguardable’s arrival in Orlando via a massive four-team deal last season was a turning point for both he and the franchise. After struggling to live up to the expectations as the fifth overall pick in Portland, unguardable shined once arriving in the Sunshine State and he has since helped Magic Gaming reach new heights as a franchise.

“Once I got traded to the Magic, they bought into who I was and what I could bring to the table, and we all bought into each other,” he explained. “That played the biggest factor.”

The runner up for the 2022 NBA 2K League Rookie of the Year award also gives a huge amount of credit to his head coach for assisting in his growth.

“Jonah has helped me so much,” unguardable explained. “We probably argue every day in practice. At least once a day. (laughter) I think we have the type of relationship where we can talk to each other in whatever way the message needs to be delivered and it gets through. He’s helped me so much both on the court and off the court. It’s been a blessing to have him as a coach.”

The feeling is very mutual. For a franchise that was starving for playoff appearances and a franchise cornerstone player, unguardable has delivered both since his arrival. Although Magic Gaming did not qualify for the postseason this year, they were on the doorstep in both game modes and now head into the draft with two lottery picks due to crafty trades engineered by Edwards last offseason. That ammo, the potential retention of Magic Gaming’s current players and the continued development of their All-Star floor general has the franchise in a great position heading into the future.

“He’s one of the premier guards in the league and I don’t think there’s a debate there,” said Edwards. “I’m thrilled for him. Now, he’ll get to head out to New York and compete against the West.”

The invite-only 2023 NBA 2K League All-Star event will include both 5v5 and 3v3 gameplay formats and will award a total of $30,000 to participants.

The 5v5 portion of the event will be a single game matchup played on NBA 2K24’s 5v5 Pro-Am mode. The 3v3 competition will be a four-team bracket of best-of-three series, with players competing on NBA 2K24’s 3v3 Pro-Am mode.

As part of All-Star festivities, the NBA 2K League will announce and present five major awards honoring top performers from 2023, including Most Valuable Player, Defensive Player of the Year, Rookie of the Year, Coach of the Year and Amateur of the Year.

Joining unguardable on the Eastern Conference All-Star team is guard AntoineLove (Hornets Venom GT), forward DjayTooCold (NBL Oz Gaming), forward DT (76ers GC) and forward Sick One (NBL Oz Gaming). The team will be coached by Mitchell “Mootyy” Frankin of NBL Oz Gaming.

“It’s just amazing to represent Magic Gaming to be honest,” unguardable said of the honor. “I’m just trying to live up to being their All-Star and everything that’s expected of me. It’s a great feeling. I would do anything for the Magic. They’re a great organization and they (should be) looked at as such.”