Following a significant trade earlier this year that saw him move from the Dallas Mavericks to the Los Angeles Lakers, basketball phenom Luka Dončić is now making a groundbreaking entry into the Overwatch universe. Dončić will feature prominently in Overwatch 2 as his unique in-game persona, “Sharpshooter 77.”
Blizzard has unveiled a range of exclusive content to celebrate Dončić’s arrival. Players can look forward to a special “77 loot box” giveaway, a distinctive golden basketball weapon charm adorned with his famous jersey number, a new spray, and a player title dedicated to Sharpshooter 77. The collaboration also introduces custom “Stadium hero builds,” allowing players to embody different facets of Dončić’s persona through characters like `Fadeaway Fan` Cassidy, `Luka Dunkcic` Lúcio, and `Hooper Trooper` Zarya.
It turns out Dončić`s talents aren`t limited to the court; he`s also an avid and highly skilled Overwatch 2 player. Blizzard confirmed that the NBA star holds a Grandmaster rank, placing him among the top 500 players in North America.
“Many have seen how competitive I am on the basketball court, but you may not know that I`m just as competitive when I`m playing Overwatch,” Dončić shared in a statement. “I love this game, and I`m genuinely excited about this partnership. It`s truly special to be included in the game in a way that allows other players to be a part of it.”
To support this high-profile event, Blizzard is rolling out billboard campaigns in strategic locations. These include Dallas, Dončić`s former NBA city; Los Angeles, his current home; and Katowice, Poland, where Dončić is currently representing the Slovenian national team at EuroBasket.
This exciting partnership coincides with the recent launch of Overwatch 2 Season 18, which has also teased an upcoming collaboration with Persona 5. While Overwatch 2 director Aaron Keller has previously expressed a desire for an Overwatch TV series, there are currently no concrete plans for such a project in the works.