LaMelo Ball is already off to a stellar year.

The NBA Rookie of the Year and Charlotte Hornets Point Guard is launching an esports brand — MB1 Gaming — with the help of technology company One Up. The platform will support MB1 Gaming by providing the operating system and resources needed to thrive in the world of esports through the latest One Up OS platform.

“We are excited to partner with stars like LaMelo in the creation of their own esports brands and communities through One Up’s turn-key technology platform,” One Up CEO Brandon Pitts said in a press release. “Many professional athletes are big gamers and are looking for unique ways to use their own gaming fandom to ignite and expand their fanbase. We are completely democratizing competitive esports, and providing gamers with the infrastructure to either compete and monetize their skills or launch their own esports business.”

MB1 Will Help Gamers Generate Income

MB1 Gaming will allow LaMelo Ball to find a new medium to reach fans off the court while also helping gamers generate new income streams. Gamers will have an opportunity to profit from their gaming skills and jumpstart their entrepreneurial path.

“When I am not playing and focusing on basketball, I’m gaming. This was a way to extend my brand to new fans and empower a next generation of esports athletes to compete and monetize their skills,” said LaMelo Ball, according to a press release. “MB1 will be the destination for the gamer who wants to compete and be a part of my gaming community.”

First Esports Tournament Set For February

Furthering LaMelo Ball’s stance, MB1 Gaming will provide various gems for fans such as free-to-enter esports tournaments, merchandise giveaways, and exclusive content.

Registration for the first tournament, the NBA 2K Invitational presented by PUMA, is now open. The match is on Feb. 5, 2022, and the top five finalists will level up to the next round to compete during the NBA All-Star festivities on Feb. 18, 2022.

There will be a $25,000 prize pool, and the first prize winner will take home $20,000. All finalists will be guaranteed a pair of LaMelo’s PUMA MB.01 signature shoes, and the airfare and hotels will be covered by One Up.

You must be 18 years or older to join and sign up by Feb. 2 in the One Up app.

For now, fans can look forward to original content dropping on the app on Jan. 29 during the NBA 2K Invitational presented by PUMA.