2019 ESPYS Winners: NBA 2K League Player oLarry Wins Inaugural eSports Award
On Wednesday night, ESPN presented its annual sports award show with the 2019 ESPYS. It included trophies going out for the best players in the NFL, NBA, MLB, and other collegiate or professional sports. There were awards handed out for special achievements in other areas including an inaugural esports award. NBA 2K League oLARRY was among the 2019 ESPYS Winners picking up the win after an epic comeback.
NBA 2K League’s oLARRY joins 2019 ESPYS winners with eSports Moment of Year
Timothy “oLARRY” Anselimo was one of the 2019 ESPYS winners with a win for eSports Moment of the Year. He was amongst those hit by gunfire at the tragic shooting during a Madden tournament last year in Jacksonville, Florida. Per ESPN’s report, due to bullets hitting his hand, he needed thumb reconstruction surgery. He would ultimately return to esports competition, using a modified grip on his controller and participating in the NBA 2K League.
ESPN’s reporter Maria Hall presented oLARRY with his ESPYS trophy on the red carpet ahead of the main awards show. She asked him what it’s been like returning to the game he loves. oLARRY mentioned it’s been a “long journey mentally and physically” but added he’s “glad to be back.”
In the clip above, oLARRY mentions that some people believe he is playing better this season than last in the NBA 2K League. He mentioned not letting the shooting incident defeat him. Maria Hill said he certainly hasn’t since he’s now among 2019 ESPYS winners.
oLarry received congratulations from plenty of fans and supporters. He also received a congratulatory message from the NBA 2K League which he plays for.
The ESPY for eSports Moment of the Year involved online voting in head-to-head brackets. Other contenders included the first-ever female NBA 2K player Chiquita Evans and Fortnite social media star Ninja. Reportedly, fans cast over 230,000 votes through Twitter to determine the winner of the final matchup, oLarry.
NBA 2K League’s Cavs Legion congratulates oLARRY for win
oLARRY currently plays for Cavs Legion GC (8-7) in the NBA 2K League. Anselimo was the No. 3 pick for the Cavs team in the 2019 Expansion Draft for the team. He originally came into the league as a second-round pick for Bucks Gaming in 2018. He averages 10 points, six rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 2.3 steals per game as his team makes a push for the playoffs.
The Cavs senior director of eSports Jonathan Summers issued a statement to mention how proud the organization is for his achievement.
“Tim is a living testament of strength. To overcome what he endured in Jacksonville is remarkable and a reminder to us all that anything can be achieved with hard work and an unshakable belief in yourself,” Summers said. “We are so proud of Tim and we couldn’t be happier to see him accept this award and become the first ever esports athlete to win an ESPY.”
Other 2019 ESPYS winners included Madden 20 cover athlete Patrick Mahomes for Best NFL Player and NBA 2K19 cover athlete Giannis Antetokoumnpo. The Greek Freak won Best NBA Player and Best Male Athlete. The 2019 ESPYS winners received awards during a ceremony held at Microsoft Theater in California. The telecast aired on ABC Wednesday night.
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