Kings Guard Training Camp to Launch with Urijah Faber, Newly Named Director of Mental Performance and Human Optimization

Mixed Martial Arts Icon, Sacramento Native to Lead Team’s Training Sessions, Focusing on Mental Preparedness, Peak Physical Fitness, and Fostering Team Development

Kings Guard Gaming, the Sacramento Kings first esports franchise – will launch training camp on April 10 to prepare for the inaugural NBA 2K League season, beginning play this May. UFC Hall of Famer Urijah Faber will join Kings Guard as the team’s Director of Mental Performance and Human Optimization, leading the team’s training camp and in-season preparation. Urijah’s role will be to help Kings Guard players mentally and physically prepare for competition, utilizing the resources behind Team Alpha Male, a premier combat sports training team, and his 20,000 square foot training facility, Urijah Faber’s Ultimate Fitness.

“I am excited to help these next-generation athletes prepare to represent Sacramento on the global stage,” said Kings Guard Director of Mental Performance and Human Optimization Urijah Faber. “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.”

“Urijah’s expertise in preparation, mental toughness, and physical fitness make him a perfect fit for Kings Guard,” said Sacramento Kings CTO and head of esports Ryan Montoya. “We’re excited to have an advisor with Urijah’s champion mentality join our ranks.”

In the inaugural NBA 2K League Draft, Kings Guard selected six players, beginning with the 4th overall selection in the snake order draft. With guidance from Kings Guard GM Shaquille O’Neal, artificial intelligence, and support from Sacramento Kings Vice President of Strategy and Analytics Luke Bornn, Kings Guard has assembled its first roster.

“Kings Guard has assembled a team of elite players that will join the best staff in esports,” said Kings Guard GM Shaquille O’Neal. “I’m excited to see them dominate.”

Below is the complete list of players drafted by Kings Guard:

Name	Gamertag	Hometown	Position	Round/Pick
Mitchell Franklin	Mootyy	Yorktown, VA	Power Forward	1st / 4th Overall
Jhade Black	worthingcolt	Houston, TX	Center	2nd / 31st Overall
Eric Donald	Timelycook	Cincinnati, OH	Point Guard	3rd / 38th Overall
Shane Farrar	SAFiya4ya	Richmond, VA	Shooting Guard	4th / 65th Overall
Christian Febres Collazo	cowboyxcollazo	Atlantic City, NJ	Small Forward	5th / 72nd Overall
Cole Motta	ColeWorld2K	Shorewood, IL	Shooting Guard	6th / 99th Overall

The team will make its debut appearance at the Sacramento Kings game on April 11 at the Kings Guard station on the Plaza Level. Fans can watch “The Grind” – the behind the scenes Kings Guard show – on Twitter by following @KingsGuardGG.

Training camp will begin when players arrive in Sacramento next week. They will be introduced to the team’s front office and support staff, have full access to the world’s first esports training facility and content studio housed inside a pro sports venue, and can utilize the same world-class care and treatment as the NBA athletes in the NBA’s most-advanced practice facility.

For more information, follow Kings Guard on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook – @KingsGuardGG.