Why are elite-level athletes so into video games?

CNN — Most points in NBA history. “It’s one of those things where it’s almost… not another job, but it keeps me active.” I would say 75% of guys play video games.” Channing Frye, 13-year NBA veteran and 2016 champion Both Frye and Ross take pride in their gaming abilities, but it would not be unfair to say that their achievements are outdone by those of former snooker world champion Neil Robertson. “I’m thinking about my percentages more when I’m playing because now I’m like every shot felt like it was a little more… it felt a little heavier, just because I was like, ‘If I have a bad game in real life, I know my guy on 2K is probably going to get a little worse.’ So, like, I’m thinking about that in the back of my mind.” If Ross remains somewhat undecided on whether his gaming represented a habit or an addiction, Robertson does not. “There would be some days where I’d get so infuriated playing the game that I wouldn’t even go to practice.” I remember thinking, ‘Don’t fall into the trap of thinking it’s okay to lose in the semis on Saturday because that means you can raid on Sunday.’” Neil Robertson, 2010 world snooker champion Another of Robertson’s addictions was the game League of Legends. “A lot of young people are affected because they’re outside their culture, all their friends are back home, it’s a different time zone.” Part of the solution, according to Adair, is to treat video game addiction in the same way teams and leagues treat the more well-known problems that athletes face, like going out to bars and clubs.