No, JaVale McGee is not the founder of FaZe Clan. The prominent esports and entertainment organization was originally launched in May 2010 by three Call of Duty trickshotting enthusiasts known online as Eric "CLipZ" Rivera, Jeff "House Cat" Emann (later known as Timid), and Ben "Resistance" Christensen. JaVale McGee, the three-time NBA champion and professional basketball player, has zero involvement in creating the organization.
Rumors connecting professional athletes to founding internet culture brands often stem from high-profile investments, ownership expansions, or viral social media jokes. While several athletes later bought stakes in esports teams during the massive corporate boom of the late 2010s, McGee's actual legacy remains firmly on the basketball court rather than in the digital history of early YouTube montage teams.
The Real Origins of FaZe Clan
FaZe Clan didn't start as a multi-million-dollar publicly traded corporation or a lifestyle brand. It began as a niche gaming community called FaZe Sniping on YouTube. The founders weren't business moguls or professional athletes; they were teenagers uploading trickshot clips from Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2.
Instead of focusing on objective-based competitive matches or winning professional tournaments, the early members focused on aesthetic style. They invented and popularized complex trickshots—such as 360-degree nosestops, ladder stalls, and rapid weapon swaps—edited together with high-energy rock and electronic music.
The original trio established the core elements that defined early internet gaming culture:
- Eric "CLipZ" Rivera: Spearheaded the channel creation and uploaded the initial trickshot montages.
- Jeff "House Cat" Emann: Helped edit videos and shape the visual style of early Modern Warfare 2 clips.
- Ben "Resistance" Christensen: Contributed to the foundational group dynamic and early community outreach.
As the channel gained traction, they brought in figures like Thomas "Temperrr" Oliveira, who eventually became one of the primary faces and early leaders of the brand as it transitioned from a YouTube clan into a competitive esports powerhouse.
Why Do People Confuse Athletes with Founders?
The confusion linking professional athletes like JaVale McGee to internet organizations usually arises from two major factors: celebrity investment waves and content creator crossover eras.
During the mid-to-late 2010s, traditional sports stars rushed to invest in the booming esports sector. Major organizations secured funding from high-profile athletes across the NBA, NFL, and MLB. For instance, players like Ben Simmons, Meyers Leonard, and various musicians became associated with FaZe Clan through equity rounds, advisory roles, or content partnerships.
Over time, casual fans scrolling through historical timelines or ownership lists misinterpret "investor" or "early partner" status as "founder." Additionally, internet culture frequently spawns surreal meme theories linking random celebrities—such as professional athletes or musicians—to unlikely digital origins purely for comedic effect.
Where Does JaVale McGee Actually Fit In?
JaVale McGee's professional career has focused on basketball, entertainment projects, and environmental activism rather than esports operations. Drafted out of the University of Nevada in 2008, McGee carved out a 16-year NBA career, securing championships with the Golden State Warriors and the Los Angeles Lakers, alongside an Olympic gold medal with Team USA.
Outside of sports, McGee founded the JUGLIFE Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to building clean water wells and promoting health education. His entrepreneurial and investment footprint spans tech startups and consumer goods rather than competitive gaming clans.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who actually founded FaZe Clan?
FaZe Clan was founded in 2010 by three online gamers known by their gamertags: CLipZ, House Cat (Timid), and Resistance. They started the group as a Call of Duty trickshotting team on YouTube.
Was JaVale McGee ever a gamer for FaZe?
No. JaVale McGee has never been a member, player, or content creator for FaZe Clan. His professional background is entirely rooted in professional basketball.
Which NBA players actually invested in FaZe Clan?
Several NBA players and athletes took financial stakes or partnered with esports organizations during the gaming boom. Notable basketball figures associated with FaZe investments or creator contracts over the years include Ben Simmons and streaming-adjacent personalities, though the core operational ownership has stayed close to its digital content roots.
Is FaZe Clan still owned by its original creators?
After years of corporate restructuring, public market trading, and leadership shifts, original core members like Richard "Banks" Bengtson returned to leadership roles to steer the brand back toward its authentic content creation roots.
