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Winthrop esports team to join Big South basketball tournament

CHARLOTTE — While college basketball teams battle in the Big South tournament for a chance at March Madness, another type of player hits the keyboard instead of the court.

This weekend, for the first time, the tournament will feature e-sports teams.

Winthrop University’s esports team began in 2019, and currently has two national championships under its belt.

Channel 9′s DaShawn Brown was able to meet with the team and learn the different paths each player took to get here.

“My dad for years, he would be like you need to do something more productive with your time,” said sophomore teammate Yasin Yildiz, “and then I finally came out and said hey, I’ve got a full-ride scholarship for everything you told me not to do.”

>>>In the video at the top of this webpage, DaShawn Brown speaks with current Winthrop esports athletes about the program and what sets them apart on the virtual field.

(WATCH BELOW: Esports league launched in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools)