ITHACA, N.Y. -- Former Cornell men's basketball player Steven Julian '19 has been drafted to compete in the relaunch of SlamBall, which debuts on ESPN on July 21. Julian was drafted in the third round by the Wrath and will among 56 players chosen to compete.

The new iteration of SlamBall is a revival of the original sport which first launched in 2002. The five-week season plus playoffs will be contested at Cox Pavilion in Las Vegas, Nev. with ESPN covering 30+ matches across its platforms. 

Julian closed his two-year career with the Big Red ranked eighth in school history with 87 blocked shots and fifth in blocks per game (1.47). One of the top defenders to suit up for Cornell, he posted 65 steals and averaged 6.1 rebounds per game while starting all 56 games over two seasons after transferring from junior college. As a junior, Julian ranked second in the Ancient Eight in blocks en route to helping the Big Red earn a spot in the Ivy League Tournament. As a senior, he averaged 4.3 points, 6.5 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.6 blocks while helping Cornell earn a spot in the CIT Postseason Tournament.

SlamBall is a version of basketball played with four trampolines in front of each net and boards around the court edge. It is a contact sport, with blocks, collisions and rough physical play as part of the game, similar to elements of American football and ice hockey.

Julian will play as a gunner, which is the primary scorer on the team. A team's gunner attacks the basket and finishes plays against the opposing teams' stopper, comparable to a forward or wing player in soccer or hockey. Julian's team will be coached by legendary SlamBall gunner James Willis.