Christopher Patrick vies for spot in NBA’s 2K League, opportunity serving a greater purpose
“It’s not where I come from; it’s how I can help people in my situation who don’t have the opportunity.” The situation 30-year-old aspiring professional NBA 2K player Christopher Patrick refers to dates back 13 years ago, where Patrick finished his last year in Oakland, California’s foster care system. Patrick entered at nine years old and didn’t have the amenities or privileges a normal adolescent carried into their teenage life.
At the foster care centers, Patrick took an interest to video games, especially NBA 2K on SEGA Dreamcast. He recalls other foster kids receiving games and consoles, presents never afforded to him from his parents, and having an opportunity to immerse himself in the NBA world “was always some of the greatest moments of his life.”
Patrick, 30, left foster care at 18, finished high school through its system, and later moved to Portland, OR. He attests that the transition period from leaving and integrating himself into society is a difficult process. Patrick not only sought to adjust, but also learn societal aspects in order to thrive in his new experience. Patrick nobly aspires to be a role model for foster youth and entering the NBA’s inaugural 2K League will provide him an opportunity to create awareness while embodying hope.
“For me to be a percentage of kids who get to take it, be productive people in society and follow their dreams, if I do make the league it’s definitely something I want to devote my time to and charity to for the foster kids out there,” Patrick said. “Everything I do it’s always to give back to the community, especially to foster kids.”
Patrick spends time with his friends and girlfriend, whom he credits as his core support group. In Portland, Patrick picked up a warehouse job to accrue enough money in which he could pursue spending time playing competitive video games.
Entering the Competitive Circuit
Patrick joined the competitive scene in 2016, after primarly playing for entertainment, under the gamertag “W0rldagainstMe”. The handle’s inspiration came from Patrick’s 2pac Shakur fandom and he’s used it for 15 years now. As 2018 marks the NBA’s first 2K League, Patrick prepped for his first major opportunity by playing on competitive teams and Pro-Am Walk-On games.
Team play usually consists of five people who all know each other who build a team, logo and court to challenge other teams. Walk-On mode is when the player is randomly placed with people you don’t know, as Patrick dubs them “randoms”. Patrick relies on a headset to communicate with temmates during his team games and enjoys the dialogue between players. He’s backed up for two top-100 teams and his adaptation allows him to fit seamlessly into any roster.
W0rldagainstMe performs as a power forward, the most underutilized position in 2K, and noticing trends has allowed Patrick to excel at the four.
“In 2016 I ran point guard and I noticed that a lot of people were point guards. It was hard to get on a team because everybody was a point guard. Last year, everybody was a center so I was like, ‘You know what? I don’t really see a lot of power forwards out there and I don’t see a lot of people out there who are very versatile that can do so many different things.’ I felt like I could put myself out there because there’s not a lot of people playing that position. They’ll run two centers or they’ll run smaller lineups. I wanted a position and a player type where I’m always moving, always being productive.”
Taking his player into the NBA 2K League, Patrick oscillated between playing competitively and with his friends. Coming off the bench for a Pro-Am team Patrick says holds a top-20 rank on Xbox and playing a relaxing session with friends are distinct experiences. Unwinding, instead of solely grinding on the competitive scene, allowed Patrick to relieve stress associated with 2K’s gameplay. Patrick admits that 2K brings out a spectrum of emotion and he competes as if he’s playing a live pickup game at his local gym or park. Patrick mentioned the exact scenario we’ve all endured while playing 2K: playing hands-up defense throughout the possession while your opponent sinks a contested shot.
Patrick’s six-to-eight hour weekday regimen of 2K leading up to the NBA 2K League’s Combine naturally has created highs and lows but throughout January, Patrick needed to play his best brand of basketball in his career. Starting on Jan. 1, 2018, the NBA 2K League Qualifier required competitors to win 50 Pro-Am games to advance into the league’s Combine portion in February.
Patrick tried to place restrictions on himself by boosting his own difficulty through the qualifying portion and playing with random players he previously never linked up with. He went 50–5 over the course of three days. Patrick dominated the event’s first hurdle and if we take a look at why he was successful and has been since embarking on his competitive journey, he’s willing to understand the basics, apply them and continually churn out positive outings.
What type of player is W0rldagainstMe?
Patrick wakes up, eats, takes his dog to the dog park arrives back to his residence around 10 o’clock and then dives into the virtual realm to control W0rldagainstMe. His cognizant approach in the Pro Am mode allowed him to create a power forward who could mesh with teams. Patrick currently stands at a 94 overall rating and he’ll play with virtually anybody. His enviable approach when spending time alongside high-volume shooters speaks to his commitment.
“2K is definitely full of point guard iso players that don’t know how to move the rock. When I get into a game with a player like that I don’t quit. I play the game through because I find other ways to be effective. If I know that I’m not going to get the ball on offense it doesn’t mean I can’t play good defense and work on my defensive game, work on if I get the rebound make the right passes to other people. There are so many more ways to work on your game. If you just get frustrated and quit… not every situation is always going to be perfect.”
Patrick’s workhorse-like mentality towards patching up his defense depicts a player who yearns for a roster spot on any of the league’s 17 teams. He didn’t just gloss over the game’s glossary; he memorized moves he’d execute in games. Pulling out the chair, boxing out instead of spamming the jump button, when it’s necessary to attempt a steal and avoid fouling are some of the motions Patrick learned through diligent work.
A meticulous approach towards understanding defensive techniques plays into his player’s primary archetype. Patrick had a bevy of different player archetypes at his disposal when selecting his power forward and chose, you guessed it, lockdown defender as his primary archetype. With 2K’s overall dearth in power forwards, Patrick regularly guards small forwards and centers. He likens himself to Draymond Green, who’s capable of locking and trailing multiple positions.
Patrick attempts to incorporate NBA basketball trends and systems into his gameplay, but acknowledges that there needs to be a fine balance because some NBA aspects don’t compute into 2K and vice versa. He’s a student of the sport and maximizes his offensive archetype as a three-point shooter. Patrick allows his guards to penetrate and control the ball while he acts as an kick-out outlet. He’s not relegated to standing a long the arc, either. Patrick’s 7'0", 210-pound power forward can finish at the basket and create off the dribble into a pull-up jumper or dash to the basket in a pinch.
He’s also repetitiously perfected his jump shot, which he’s wielded for three years now, a crucial component in all 2K players’ games. Patrick’s ability to thrive on both ends translates into consistent A-plus outings. To finish with that prestigious goal, your player has to regularly create plays or events on both ends of the floor through four quarters. He said he’ll earn an A-plus around 70 percent of the time.
Patrick’s Representation and Outlook
Patrick pursued an agent who’d help accommodate his journey through the 2K League Tournament and beyond. While Patrick didn’t represent the niche he typically delves in, Ultimate Sports Agency’s Ian Greengross responded to Patrick’s inquiry and currently represents the aspiring professional gamer. Greengross primarily represents NFL players, and Patrick capitalized on Greengross’s interest.
“I reached out to a lot of different agencies. Ian was the only one that responded [and] took it serious. I understand that sports agencies see some guy who wants to make video games their profession… it’s not a preferred thing. It’s not something you take seriously. Ian used to be a gamer himself so he understood and he represents pro NFL players. He kind of understands that eSports is a growing industry and it’s going to be something huge. It’s going to be huge in the NBA world. When he was willing to talk to me and entertain the idea, I was willing to sign with him.”
As Patrick enters eSports’s burgeoning space for a profession, he’s fostered relationships with other competitors and, more importantly, teams’ general managers. The 17 general managers will have six open roster spots, and Patrick constantly petitions for their attention with tagging them in highlight videos. Patrick understands the competition to draw eyes between competitors and believes his individual performance will be the deciding factor in whether he’s drafted or not.
Patrick’s confidence to earn a mid-round selection stems from his overall ability while 2K will level the playing field — giving every player a 90 overall rating. Patrick is also afforded five different PF archetypes: Slashing Rim Protector, Rebounding Athletic Finisher, Slashing Post Scorer, Two-Way Rebounder and Sharpshooting Rim Protector. Given his original archetype and tendencies, Patrick will play through the 40-game Combine, which spans from Feb. 2 to Feb. 21, as a Sharpshooting Rim Protector.
If Patrick isn’t picked, he’ll follow the same procedure next season to try and participate in the 2K League but he’ll diminish practicing. Patrick said he’s in the prime of his life and hopes to enter in 2018. Regardless of outcome, he’ll still be an exemplary idol for foster kids who come across W0rldagainstMe. Patrick has overcome that small percentage of successful former foster kids he previously referenced; bet on him to conquer the odds once again.