Nidal "Mama Im Dat Man" Nasser is just 22-years-old, but the NBA 2K League star is reaching heights that no other player in league history has seen before.
Nasser was one of the best players in the league in Season 1, was named league MVP in Season 2, and is averaging more than 30 points and putting together another MVP campaign in Season 3.
All that success has not gone unnoticed.
It was announced on Friday, May 23, that basketball apparel company POINT 3 Basketball had signed Nasser to an endorsement deal.
In doing so, Nasser becomes the first player in NBA 2K League history to sign a solo endorsement deal.
The Blazer5 star took to social media to make the announcement and thank those that have made it all possible.
History💫 . Been wanting to share this for a while now. Again... THANK YOU! pic.twitter.com/bRDGooxAwD
— Nidal Nasser (@MamaImDatMan_) May 23, 2020
Welcome to the family. Big things ahead. 🙌🏼💪🏼🏀 https://t.co/2jTmxRU7D7
— POINT 3 (@Point3Hoops) May 24, 2020
POINT 3's apparel is specifically designed to absorb sweat and keep athletes dry, something that comes in handy in eSports. The last thing a gamer wants is sweaty palms, and POINT 3 can help address the matter.
Said Nasser in an interview with ESPN, "There's moments throughout the game where your hand just becomes so moist, because you're gripping on the controller so hard, you don't realize it... The grip you have on your controller allows you to make those quicker reflexes. It's so hard to explain, but that's the biggest difference. It's kind of like a gaming edge."
2019 @NBA2KLeague MVP @MamaImDatMan_ has been named an endorser for @Point3Hoops.
— Jeff Eisenband (@JeffEisenband) May 23, 2020
Says CEO Michael Luscher: "With his focus on world-class performance, dedication to his craft and an obvious love of the game, Nidal is the ideal ambassador to extend the reach of DRYV to gamers." pic.twitter.com/OWc8ztKhBq
The move is big for not only Nasser, but for the NBA 2K League as a whole. It could provide the framework for other players to seek solo deals as well, bringing in a revenue stream for gamers that was once thought impossible.
Many of our parents told us otherwise, but Nasser is proving to the masses that you can make money and make a living playing video games.
Be sure to check out the full Talkin’ Blazers Podcast with host NBA Champion Channing Frye and Emmy Award winner Dan Sheldon.