Twitch streamer Kai Cenat’s Little Basketball Association debut
Popular Twitch streamer Kai Cenat made his Little Basketball Association (also known as Little Ballers Association) debut at Overtime Arena on Saturday. With a draft full of kids, a basketball court polished with an LBA logo, professional referees and an engaged crowd of fans, it may have been easy to forget that the newly formed league is a fictional circuit born from the mind of Cenat.
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On his Sept. 27 stream, Cenat parodied a traditional NBA draft where his audience saw him go from a promised third-round pick to being drafted last. It was the latest viral skit from the streamer who is known for his elaborate pranks and celebrity guests, all from the comfort of his Atlanta bedroom.
“Standing at an enormous 5’4’’ inches, he’s the head honcho of the New York Sky. Kai Cenat,” the LBA presenter said as he announced Cenat to a round of applause.
Fans of varying ages sat in the crowd with large cutouts of Cenat’s head. Other popular streamers such as Tylil James sat courtside as they cheered on the New York Sky. At the age of 22 and a couple of feet taller than his teammates and opponents, Cenat ironically stood out in what is a stark difference to the NBA’s average height of 6’6’’. But what they lacked in height, they made up for in determination.
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The Dallas Giants, the opposing team, battled against the New York Sky, with the young boys going toe to toe against each other as they fought to get a win for the league’s first game. It was a time for the young players to shine, showing off their skills as they dribbled up and down the court, made plays and scored shots. However, Cenat’s performance in the first half gave hints to why he was drafted last in his own league. Dressed in a dark blue and orange New York Sky jersey, he only scored two points in the first half.
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But it was evident, through Cenat’s missed shots and multiple dramatic falls, that his goal was to give the young basketball players an opportunity to showcase their skills and play in a semi-professional setting.
The New York Sky defeated the Dallas Giants 53-44. The circuit will take place every night at 7:30 p.m. until Oct. 2.
