Blazer5 Gaming has hired Andrew “Sceeezus” Maxie as head coach for the 2020 season, the team announced Wednesday.
Blazer5 Gaming on Twitter
We are thrilled to announce the hiring of Andrew Maxie (@Sceeezus) as Blazer5 Gaming’s Head Coach ahead of the upcoming 2020 @NBA2KLeague season. Give a warm welcome to Andrew, and make sure to hit him with a follow ✅
“Getting to coach Blazer5 is the dream I never knew would be possible,” Maxie said. “Getting the chance to combine my love for basketball, 2K and coaching is mind blowing. This group already has a winning culture and have proved to be a force in the league. It is important to me to be surrounded by like-minded individuals, so it excites me to be a part of an organization that shares the same values.”
Maxie will be the team’s first head coach after two successful seasons without a designated head coach at the helm. A former NJCAA First Team All-American at Eastfield College, Maxie transferred to Lindenwood where he was an NAIA All-American. Maxie has played in Canada, Mexico, Finland, and more, and brings a wealth of playing and AAU coaching experience to the team.
“Andrew’s experience both coaching and competing in basketball will make him an asset to our team’s game day preparation,” Blazers Esports Operations Manager Cameron “noremachi” McAlees said. “Andrew also brings a wealth of knowledge regarding both physical and mental wellness.”
Blazer5 Gaming finished the 2019 season 14-2, locking up the top seed after winning a league-record 14 consecutive games during the regular season. They were eliminated by Warriors Gaming in a first-round sweep, marking the second consecutive season with a first-round exit as the No. 1 seeded team. Blazer5 Gaming also won the Turn tournament in 2018, the league’s inaugural season, and finished as runners-up at the Tipoff tournament in 2018.
The team holds two picks in the 2020 Entry draft after acquiring Majestic from Heat Check Gaming over the offseason. Blazer5 protected 2018 MVP OneWildWalnut and 2019 MVP MamaImDatMan, as well as two-year starter LavishPhenom, in advance of the NBA 2K League’s 2019 expansion draft.