The NBA 2K League continues to grow around the world as it shows kids and others that they can be compensated for playing video games. The Atlanta Hawks G-League team, the Hawks Talon GC, hosted an in-person match against the Raptors Uprising GC on March 4. Despite the Hawks Talon GC losing, it was a good experience for fans of all ages to see the setup and how players prepared for their game.
Tyler Montague, known as “BaitPickk,” was selected by the Hawks Talon GC with the 11th overall pick in the 2024 NBA 2K League draft and was one of the players participating in the March 4 matchup. He spoke with rolling out about adjusting to the league and tips he would give to others looking to follow in his footsteps.
How are you adjusting to your first season in the NBA 2K League?
I think I’m adjusting pretty well to it. I enjoy the lifestyle now. I went from hooping to becoming a 2k League professional in a span of about eight months. The feeling is just being blessed at the end of the day.
How do you implement that stuff that you learned playing basketball when you’re playing in the 2k League?
Honestly, I’m really big on watching. We just lost — which sucks — but it’s still a chance for us to get better from it at the end of the day. I’m probably gonna go home, watch it back, see what we did wrong and then we’re going to try to implement it so we can fix our game and practice next week.
What are some tips that you would give to those kids looking to join the league one day?
I’d tell them like if you got to branch away from your friends … because you need to get to know the higher-ups and elite to really have a chance to get in. I’d definitely say keep going hard. I’m not gonna lie: it feels like it’s like easy, but it’s a video game. You have to put a lot of time into it as if you did anything else. I’d say put a lot of time into it and branch off away from your friends — if you had to — to get to where you want to be.
What are three things that you do after the game to decompress?
I go to this place called Park Bar across the street, walk over there and get some food. I’m an introvert, so I just like to listen to music. I’ll probably kick it in my car for about 20 minutes and listen to music. Then I just lay down, hop in bed and probably turn on Hulu and watch some TV.
