Kai Cenat Wins LBA Championship, Posts Photo with Trophy Before Announcing Retirement

Paul KasabianFeatured Columnist IIOctober 3, 2024

Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images

Streamer and YouTuber Kai Cenat has won the Little Ballers Association championship, and he posted a picture with the trophy in a Kobe Bryant-esque pose afterward.

AMP KAI @KaiCenatBack to streaming pic.twitter.com/OO71tXcK9U

Laura Nwogu of The Atlanta Voice gave a rundown on the Little Ballers Association, essentially a Cenat-created fictional league featuring the 22-year-old playing basketball with children.

“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.

“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.”

Cenat was the featured player in this league, which featured four games from Sunday to Wednesday (one a day). The league sported an incredible production value, perhaps trying to emulate the NBA in some ways. In fact, some talent that covers the league worked the event.

Rashad Milligan @RashadMilliganHere at Kai Cenat’s LBA Championship Game. He has Channing Frye and Richard Jefferson on the broadcast. Ros Gold Onwude as the sideline reporter, and an entire marching band in the stands. pic.twitter.com/yViBYmPJKf

Cenat played for the New York Sky, which beat Dallas on Saturday before taking down Atlanta Sunday.

Overtime @overtimeKAI CENAT IS AN LBA CHAMPION 🏆 @KaiCenat pic.twitter.com/dxXUdZWfr0

Cenat dealt with a right knee sprain, per TNT Sports’ Chris Haynes, but powered through.

Chris Haynes @ChrisBHaynesNot my usual beat, but….

LBA (Little Basketball Association) News.

Sources say New York City Sky guard/retired streamer @KaiCenat left the arena with a right knee sprain after Monday nights game. He’ll likely be ready for the Finals tonight, but it’ll be a game-time decision.… pic.twitter.com/meZH8jw5Cn

After the title game, Cenat’s jersey was lifted to the rafters as he announced his retirement.

Cxpium @copiumxpic.twitter.com/UIgionDT4I

Kai Mafia Updates🗽💫 @KaimafiaupdatesKai Cenat has officially Retired as a professional Basketball player and is now returning to streaming sometime this week.

“With One Goal in mind”👀🔥 pic.twitter.com/e0h043NhEf

And with that, Cenat ended his inspirational LBA career as a champion.