Former Raptors Uprising GC centre on the move again as esports teams wheel and deal

Former Raptors Uprising GC centre Jerry (Sick One) Knapp was traded Monday for the second time in less than three days.

On Saturday, Toronto sent the NBA 2K League first-team all-star to Hornets Venom GT for centre Xavier (Type) Vescovi in a major esports swap. On Monday, Knapp was on the move again.

The Charlotte team shipped Knapp, forward Zaeya (Zae) Ishak and a 2021 second-round draft pick to Mavs Gaming for centre Peter (PeteBeBallin) Malin, guard Justin (Sherm) Sherman and a first-round pick in the 2021 draft.

“Super-excited, let’s go man,” tweeted Knapp.

The 28-year-old from Verona, N.J., was an integral part of the Raptors’ roster, combining with star point guard Kenneth (Kenny Got Work) Hailey and lockdown defender Trent (Timelycook) Donald in a record-breaking campaign that saw Toronto win all 16 regular-season games as well as two in-season tournaments.

But the Raptors’ run ended in the playoff semifinals at the hands of eventual champion Wizards District Gaming.

Knapp averaged 14.3 points, 12.9 rebounds, 6.8 assists and 2.7 blocks in 36 regular-season games in 2020. He ranked seventh overall in rebounds and blocks per game, 11th in field-goal percentage and within the top 25 for assists.

Knapp was drafted in the second round (19th overall) of the 2018 draft by Cavs Legion GC. He joined Toronto midway through the 2019 season in a deal that sent Trevion (All Hail Trey) Hendrix to Cleveland.

Knapp’s younger brother, Jake (Legit 973) Knapp, was also a member of Raptors Uprising last season but his rights have not been retained by Toronto.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 16, 2020

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This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 16, 2020.

Neil Davidson, The Canadian Press