Kevin Knox, a 6-9, small forward from the University of Kentucky, was taken by the New York Knicks with the ninth pick of Thursday’s NBA Draft. To celebrate the occasion, he wore a suit jacket with a Fortnite-themed liner.
Knox evidently is a bigtime fan of the game. I asked an Epic rep if they had anything to do with this, and they said nope, this was all him. So Knox is 19 years old and commissioning custom apparel to show off his fandom, before he even makes his first NBA basket (to be followed, inevitably, with a victory dance from the game.)
The Fortnite/sports name-checking love affair has endured well past the fad stage. Just this week, the Boston Red Sox’ David Price tried to get out of pitching in the All-Star Game by joking he’d “play a lot of Fortnite the night before.” (A carpal tunnel diagnosis earlier this season was rumored to be linked to his Fortnite playing.) Deandre Ayton, the first overall pick at the NBA Draft, said he chilled out with the game the night before the draft to calm his nerves.
This of course, follows the manifold Fortnite-themed celebrations in world football. That phenomenon seemed to land on North American soil with a name-drop for the ages after an historic upset in the NCAA Tournament. Since then, Major League Baseball players have referenced it in their celebrations. The Milwaukee Brewers played it on their stadium scoreboard during batting practice back in May.
What’s next? C’mon. Logically, the next step is a Fortnite-themed celebration in NBA 2K19. Someone should lock Epic and 2K Sports in a conference room until they come up with a deal.
Popular Fortnite Merch
- DART BLASTING FORTNITE BLASTER REPLICA: This AR L blaster is inspired by the blaster used in Fortnite, capturing the look and colors of the one in the popular video game
- MOTORIZED 10 DART BLASTING: Blast 10 darts from this motorized blaster that has an acceleration button to power up the motor (batteries required, not included)
- 20 DARTS AND 10 DART CLIP: Includes a 10 dart clip and 20 Official Nerf Elite darts.To ensure proper use of AR L blaster ensure access door is fully closed before use. Make sure clip is inserted fully...
- Jenga game with a Fortnite twist: It's an exciting Jenga game with artwork, themes, and characters inspired by the popular Fortnite online video game
- Spin, stack, climb: Players spin the spinner and follow the commands: the number and type of Blocks to stack, and how many layers their Fortnite character must climb
- Don't fall short: Players move their own pegs up and their opponents' Pegs down as they remove and stack blocks. But if the tower falls As they climb or stack -- it's game over for them
- Practice your aim with this targeting set: this set includes an spmrnum-r blaster, 6 darts and 3 llama targets so you can practice your aim or play competitive games with family and friends
- Includes 3 llama targets: comes with 3 llama targets in different sizes to set up exciting games that challenge skills and test aim and accuracy
- Dart-blasting Fortnite blaster replica: this spmrnum-r blaster is inspired by the blaster used in Fortnite, capturing the look and colors of the one in the popular video game
- Dart-blasting replica of the Fortnite blaster: this its blaster is inspired by the blaster used in the popular Fortnite video game
- Pump-action 4-dart blasting: blast 4 darts in a row from this 4-dart, pump-action blaster that's hand-powered by you (no batteries required)
- 8 darts and storage stock: includes 8 official Nerf Mega darts and has storage on the stock for 4 darts, so you can keep backup darts nearby for fast reloading
- Super-Soft, Huggable Plush for All Ages
- High-Quality Materials
- Collectible Rare Loot Llama
- Unique Rocket Battle Royale gameplay.
- Everything is destructible! Real Sandbox mode.
- Craft Defenses, Forts, Towers, Sky Bridges, everything possible!
- Epic Games
- Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
- Paperback: 112 pages
- Measures 14 inches tall and includes 23 pieces-9 weapons, 4 Back Bling, 8 exclusive building materials and a llama float that fits many 4" Fortnite action figures! Plus, it's pre-filled with a 4-inch...
- Giddy-Up features 25+ points of articulation and highly detailed decoration inspired by one of the most popular outfits from Epic Games' Fortnite.
- Bursting with colorful confetti, reveal your loot by tearing open your Llama to see a War Paint figure and a bunch of cool accessories.
- Ragnarok, Rex, Cuddle Team Leader and Brite Bomber 4" action figures - inspired by four of the most popular outfits from Epic Games' Fortnite.
- 19 points of articulation
- Highly detailed decoration