UFC Hall of Famer Urijah Faber has joined Kings Guard Gaming as the Director of Mental Performance and Human Optimization. The organisation will compete in the NBA 2K League, and is the Sacramento Kings‘ first esports franchise.
Urijah Faber discussed his appointment in a statement: “I am excited to help these next-generation athletes prepare to represent Sacramento on the global stage. It is an exciting time to be involved in esports, and I want to provide each player with that same competitive edge that I brought to the Octagon.”
Ryan Montoya, CTO & Head of Esports of Sacramento Kings also commented: “Urijah’s expertise in preparation, mental toughness, and physical fitness make him a perfect fit for Kings Guard. We’re excited to have an advisor with Urijah’s champion mentality join our ranks.”
Kings Guard Gaming also announced the hire of Shaquille O’Neal earlier in the week. The heralded former NBA player was appointed as the General Manager of the organisation, where he will provide “valuable basketball council” to the team and the six players it drafted. It used O’Neal’s expertise along with artificial intelligence and support from Sacramento Kings’ VP of Strategy and Analytics, Luke Bornn, to decide on which players the organisation would pick.
Kings Guard Gaming is set to run a training camp, with the players meeting the team’s office and support staff – as well as being granted access to an esports training facility and content studio.
Esports Insider says: Bringing in a professional fighter to help develop its players is an intriguing move by Kings Guard Gaming. Add this to the recent appointment of O’Neal, and the organisation sounds prepared for the inaugural season of the league.