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How former NFL Player Hank Baskett withdrew from the spotlight to make custom gaming rigs for pro-ballers

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Before asking a single interview question, Hank Baskett moves his web-cam to the right as a way to show off a new gaming rig he just built for himself. The wall mounted case is inspired by The Transformers franchise with RGB lighting matching the contrasting red/blue aesthetic between the Autobots and Decepticons. 

At first glance, the build looks absolutely gorgeous. Spec-wise, it also has all the latest must-have components including an 11th-gen Intel Core i9 processor, Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 and liquid coolant in line with the design theme. The build is one of several dozen rigs Baskett has created for various pro-ballers, celebrities and influencers under HB Customs. 

HB Customs could be considered a second act for the former NFL wide-receiver who entered the Hollywood spotlight after marrying Playboy model Kendra Wilkinson. Following years of reality television, Baskett eventually took time to focus on his first true passion in gaming.    

“I've just always been a gamer,” explained Baskett, who played for the Minnesota Vikings, Philadelphia Eagles and Indianapolis Colts. “I was a gamer, then a professional athlete, then a gamer, then a gamer in the entertainment industry. Now that I'm done with all those, I'm a gamer in the gaming industry. The passion I have for PC gaming just comes from my passion for gaming.”

The inside of a PC with CPU cooler and memory

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

Looking to the past

When Baskett wasn’t a kid blowing cartridges and praying for luck, his older brother had him playing Wolfenstein 3D, Warcraft, Wing Commander, Dune and Duke Nukem. Growing into a college football player for the University of New Mexico, he leaned more toward consoles due to convenience. 

“I strictly went to consoles because they were easier to move around at that time,” Baskett said. “In college, I didn't have space for a big PC and such.”

Fast forward near the end of his NFL career, he found himself addicted to World of Warships after visiting Wargaming’s booth at PAX West. Calling his contact at Microsoft to ask which Surface tablet could run the popular naval warship game, he bought one from a nearby store and downloaded the game right away. 

“Then I did a few events with Wargaming and they built me my first PC,” Baskett said. I was so happy that I started doing streams with them and it just progressed from there.” 

Alongside his then-new appreciation for keyboard and mouse controls, he saw Steam as a “candy store for gamers.” 

“You'll see a game one week that's $80 and then they'll have a Steam sale for five bucks,” joked Baskett. “You're just like I don't need it, but I'm going to get it. I'm going to put that in the queue. I might play that five years from now, but I'm going to play that game."

Baskett went further down the gaming hole, linking up with various esports organizations like Major League Gaming and becoming part owner of portable monitor company GAEMS. As a professional athlete, he also began to have huge respect for esports gamers.

“I know a lot of these guys that workout harder than some of the guys that I played with in the NFL and it is a craft,” Baskett explained. “They're competing in something, that's what athletes do. They're making money by doing it. That's what athletes do. They're making money off their name, image and likeness. That's what athletes do. I'm just saying, walks like a duck, quacks like a duck. It's a duck and I give them props.”

Around that time, he also started creating custom builds for himself. That led to building rigs for various athletes and celebrities. 

“My dad taught me that you stop learning the day you die,” said Baskett. “I've tried to find new things. Just the evolution from my first builds a couple of years ago until now and it's just crazy what you learn.

A PC gaming service for the stars

Notable clients include Von Miller of the Denver Broncos, influencer Jonna Mae and Cleveland Browns player Jarvis Landry. HB Customs has also secured partnerships with PowerA, LucidSound, Newegg, EVG and Optimus PC as well. 

Baskett runs the one man shop like a boutique where everything is made to order. This includes custom cases built in partnership with 3M certified wrappers along with getting specific components for clients. Though extreme builds may take three to four days, one cooler systems can take him a couple of hours. Not only does he pre-install games for clients but provides various RGB lighting profiles and utilizes TeamViewer once they receive their rig to walk them through the set-up process if they are new to PC gaming.  

“I want it to be that white glove service that when you get it, it's an experience,” explained Baskett of his builds that have reached the $20,000 range. “I don't want it to be, ‘I got a computer, I got to go in, I got to download this. I got to wait for this.’ Because when you get something, it's like even with the consoles now, ‘Dang, I just got it. Now I have to wait a whole other day just to download everything that I want.’ So I truly try to offer a service.”

All of the builds are done from Baskett’s Southern California home. He went from his kitchen table to the living room and eventually converted his garage into a shop. “You look at Google and Amazon, they all started in the garage,” he said. 

Like many custom build businesses, the global chip shortage has been a challenge for HB Customs. 

“If I showed you my screen right now, I have sites up that are refreshing nonstop,” Baskett explained. “Do they have any in stock, as soon as it's in stock I'm trying to buy just like everyone else. It really sucks for the gamers that the scalping prices and this and that. I just hate it because there's people that truly are gamers and just want to upgrade their performance and their systems, but yet they can't get a hold of it because someone is charging more than triple the price for a EVGA [RTX] 3080 ULTRA.” 

Thankfully, partnerships with companies makes acquiring components a bit easier. Baskett has become so busy meeting customer demand that he hasn’t time to enjoy his own favorite games including Call of Duty: Warzone, Outriders and Grounded. However, he views HB Customs as an extension of his creativity despite the time away from gaming. 

“I stand by my work,” said Baskett. “There's some nights I'll be thinking about something and I'll go down at one o'clock in the morning and come back in at 6:00 AM and lay down for a couple hours and then start the day, take the kids to school or whatever. Because I like that ability to be able to when I want to be creative, I can be creative.” 

Image 1 of 4

HB Customs build for Von Miller

(Image credit: HB Customs)
Image 2 of 4

HB customs build for Ja'wuan James

(Image credit: HB Customs)
Image 3 of 4

HB Customs build for mark ingram

(Image credit: HB Customs)
Image 4 of 4

HB Customs gaming pc for Keenan Allen

(Image credit: HB Customs)

Custom Builds

1. Von Miller

  • CPU: Intel - I9-10850k
  • Motherboard: EVGA - Z490 FTW
  • Memory: Corsair - Vengeance RGB 64GB
  • Storage: x2 - Samsung - 970 EVO Plus SSD 2TB - M.2 NVMe Internal SSD
  • Graphics Card: EVGA - 3090 FTW Ultra GPU
  • Case: Corsair - 1000D Obsidian Case
  • Power Supply: EVGA - 1600W Supernova Titanium PSU
  • Cooling: Corsair - Hydro X Series XH305HI Hardline Water Cooling Kit, Corsair - Hydro X Series XL5 Performance Cooler, Barrow - PETG Tubing 14mm Hard Tubing, Corsair - Hydro X Series XF Hardline Fittings, Corsair - Hydro X Series 90 degree Rotary adapters, Corsair - Hyrdro X Series XD3 RGB Pump, Corsair - Hydro X Series XR5 360mm Water Cooling Radiator, Corsair - Hydro X Series XR7 480mm Water Cooling Radiator, Bitspower - G1/4" Flow Indicator, Bitspower - G1/4" 90 Degree Female to Female 14mm Fitting
  • Extra: Corsair - RGB LED Lighting Pro Expansion, upHere - Graphics Card GPU Brace, Thermaltake - Commander FP 10 Port 4-pin PWM Fan Hub, Corsair - iCUE Commander PRO Smart RGB Lighting & Fan Controller, Corsair - QL Series 120mm RGB LED, Jbtek - Sleeved PWM Fan Splitter Cable

2. Jonna Mae

  • CPU: Intel - I9-10900K
  • Motherboard: EVGA - Z490 DARK
  • Memory: Corsair - Vengeance RGB Pro 32GB
  • Storage: Corsair - 970 Evo Plus 500GB
  • Graphics Card: EVGA - GeForce RTX 3080 XC3 Ultra
  • Case: Lian Li - 011 Dynamic XL ROG - White
  • Power Supply: EVGA - SuperNOVA 850w T2 80+ Titanium
  • Cooling: BITSPOWER – Touchaqua Sedna Pump/Reservoir, 12mm fittings – white, CORSAIR - Hydro X Series XC7 CPU Water Block - White, Hydro X Series 12mm Hardline Tubing, EKWB – EK-Quantum Vector XC3 RTX 3080 GPU Water Block, PRIMOCHILL - 2 - 360mm Eximo SLim Radiator - White
  • Extra: Corsair - 10 – QL 120mm RGB Fans, CORSAIR – 2 iCUE Commander Pro Smart Hub, 2 – iCUE Lighting Node CORE fan controllers, RGB LED Lighting PRO Expansion KIT, EKWB – EK-CryoFuel 1000mL Electric Purple PC Coolant, LIAN LI - Custom Strimmer Cables

3. Jarvis Landry

  • CPU: Intel - 10900k
  • Motherboard: EVGA - Z490 FTW Motherboard
  • Memory: Corsair - Vengeance 32GB
  • Storage: Samsung - 970 EVO Plus 2TB M.2
  • Graphics Card: EVGA - 3080 FTW3 Ultra GPU
  • Case: Corsair - 570X RGB Mid-Tower, Tempered Glass Case
  • Power Supply: EVGA - 850w PSU
  • Cooling: NZXT - Kraken Z73
  • Extra: Corsair - iCUE Commander Pro, LINKUP - Custom Cables - Gold and Purple

Date

31 Aug 2021

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  • Black Friday gaming chair deals 2021: early deals and our predictions

    You've got a souped-up gaming rig, an ultrawide monitor and enough RGB lighting to guide a plane into landing – so what's missing to complete your ultimate PC battlestation? That's right, it's a comfortable and supportive gaming chair. Luckily, we're approaching that time of year when we start to see a whole host of Black Friday gaming chair deals.

    Whether it's the fanciest bucket seat of your dreams or just a very straightforward supermarket model, there are some serious savings to be made as part of this year's Black Friday deals. All the way up to the big day itself on November 26, we'll be tracking all the very best offers on gaming chairs right here. We're following all the top brands such as SecretLab, Razer and Corsair to bring you the very best prices as soon as the first Black Friday gaming chair deals arrive.

    Waiting until the year's sales extravaganza can pay off big time, especially as very few retailers are running early Black Friday sales featuring gaming chair deals right now. Last year's offers show you just how much money you can save with $70 / £70 off the SecretLab Omega and Titan, and price cuts of up to $150 on select Corsair models. Those looking for budget options could also find seats from brands such as HyperX, Arozzi, Homall and Respawn for under $150 / £150.

    So, as well as looking for repeat reduction on these models, we'll also have an eye out for any other big surprises over the coming weeks. It may be quiet at the end of October, but we're sure the Black Friday gaming chair deals will ramp up as we enter November. Use all the information below to get you in the best place possible to find a bargain.

    Today's best gaming chair deals

    If you can't wait to pick up one of the best gaming chairs at a discount, it's worth noting that there are plenty of 2020-era chairs reduced right now. All the latest gaming chair deals are just below, with the web's lowest prices on some top picks.

    Black Friday gaming chair deals: our predictions

    SecretLab gaming chairs

    (Image credit: SecretLab)

    When will the best Black Friday gaming chair deals start in 2021?

    Black Friday will take place on November 26 this year and we're expecting the best Black Friday gaming chair deals to land throughout Thanksgiving week. However, that doesn't mean you'll have to wait for the main event to find an excellent price. 

    Last year, retailers offered Black Friday level pricing weeks in advance, with early deals on the shelves as soon as October. This was in response to the massive global push to online retail, but considering how well it paid off, we wouldn't be surprised to see a similar timeline in 2021. In fact, places such as Walmart and Best Buy have launched early Black Friday sales in late October so we know there's an appetite for a bargain already.

    From now on, then, you should keep a close eye on pricing throughout the whole of November. While the biggest discounts on the biggest brands will still be reserved for the weekend itself, you might spot an early offer that's just as suitable especially if you're after a budget option.

    Where will the best Black Friday gaming chair deals be?

    Not every retailer has the range to offer the full spectrum of Black Friday gaming chair deals. However, selecting the best store for the kind of chair you're after can help narrow down your options significantly. Of course, come November, we'll be bringing you all the best offers right here, but if you do want to go it alone, you'll find our recommendations for which retailers to hit first just below. 

    US retailers:
    Amazon:
    best for budget brands and generic chairs
    Best Buy:
    best for discounts on Arozzi chairs
    Dell:
    regular discounts on Alienware
    Newegg:
    wide range of cheaper models and brands
    SecretLab:
    direct discounts on Titan and Omega chairs
    Walmart:
    massive range of brands and regular discounts

    UK retailers:
    Amazon:
    wide range and plenty of regular discounts
    Argos:
    low prices on budget X-Rocker chairs
    Currys:
    savings on ADX, Corsair, Razer, and Noble Chairs
    Ebuyer:
    discounts on a wide range of big and budget brands
    Laptops Direct:
    regular savings on budget and mid-range models
    SecretLab:
    save on premium Titan and Omega chairs

    The Black Friday gaming chair deals we expect to see in 2021

    We're expecting 2021's Black Friday gaming chair deals to improve on last year's offers now that pandemic-based demand has dropped. That means we're expecting even lower prices in the budget category, with lesser-known brands that were discounted down to $150 / £150 last year potentially dropping even closer to $100 / £100, as well as bigger discounts in the more medium and premium ranges. 

    With SecretLab's 2020 models already taking significant discounts throughout the course of the year we can expect even more savings on last year's big winners. However, the Evo 2022 series is likely to see its own, smaller, discounts considering it will have had plenty of time to mature on the shelves by November as well. 

    Razer has also refreshed its line of Iskur gaming chairs for 2021, with the Iskur X. Since then we've been seeing regular discounts on the original model, so last year's $299 / £299 sales price may well be beaten this year, potentially dropping down to $199 / £199 to compete with Corsair's more mid-range models. 

    Tips for buying a gaming chair over Black Friday

    If you're researching your prospective shopping list, it can be difficult to work out where to start. However, there are a number of features that you should be looking at to work out whether a gaming chair is right for you. From materials to seat size, there's plenty to work through here, but having a strong idea of what you want to get out of this year's Black Friday gaming chair deals will yield the best results come November. 

    Adjustability
    One of the first things you should check is the adjustability of any given chair. This is crucial for both ergonomics and making sure you pick up the right chair for your desk setup and space. We recommend choosing a chair that will at least allow you to adjust the height of both the seat and the armrests and the angle of the back. 

    Most gaming chairs offer a lumbar support cushion or additional padding built into the chair itself, but, especially if you're shopping in the cheaper aisles, it's worth double-checking that this is included. However, an adjustable lumbar support cushion is far more ergonomic as you'll be able to fit the chair perfectly to the curvature of your spine.

    Materials
    While the vast majority of cheaper chairs offer PU leather upholstery, picking up a softer material like the SoftWeave Fabric of the SecretLab Titan may not be preferable for all users. Double-check the breathability of the material you're choosing, whether it contains any meshed webbing to allow heat to dissipate, for example. These soft chairs usually come at a slight price premium but won't be for everybody, so we'd recommend testing one out in a store before jumping online on Black Friday.

    Frame and base
    The best way to judge the durability of your chosen chair is by looking at the frame and base. A steel frame and aluminum base are a good combination offering a durable build quality that will last you far longer than plastic. However, some cheaper chairs are still built with this plastic skeleton to keep costs low, and while you're paying less now, it will need to be replaced far sooner. 

    Size
    Make sure you're buying a gaming chair built for your size by checking the height and weight requirements of the base. Most mid-range and premium chairs lay out their height and weight recommendations, however, cheaper chairs sometimes forego a suggested height. In general, make sure your seat places you between 16 and 21 inches off the ground so that your feet are flat on the floor and your knees are at a 90-degree angle. 

    How to find the best Black Friday gaming chair deals

    Working out exactly what you need from your new seat will help you find the best Black Friday gaming chair deal for you. That means researching the options available and keeping a list of features that you won't be able to live without as well as specs that you could drop for a significantly lower price point.

    That means considering the materials, adjustments, back style, additional cushions, height, weight allowance, and size of your perfect gaming chair and finding out what you can get for your cash today. From there, keeping an eye on prices in the lead-up to Black Friday gaming chair deals will be essential, as having this background knowledge will allow you to quickly spot a worthwhile deal once the pressure is on. 

    Once you've found a deal, it's crucial to price check against other retailers. Things get pretty heated during the Black Friday weekend, and while bigger stores automatically price match their competitors, it's worth checking if you can find a cheaper price elsewhere or if other retailers are offering additional free gifts on top. 

    However, we'll be doing all that for you right here. Once those Black Friday gaming chair deals do land, we'll be stocking this page with the best offers on the market, so be sure to bookmark and return once November starts kicking into gear. 

    Will the increased demand affect this year's Black Friday gaming chair deals?

    Not massively. Last year's prices bode well for the Black Friday gaming chair deals in 2021. However, it's worth noting that the landscape of last year's sales was slightly different. With such a surge in ergonomic office furniture following the pandemic, we didn't see too many gaming chair deals running throughout the course of the year.

    Now that things have settled down and many are slowly returning to offices, we may find even lower prices on these items as demand lessens. In fact, SecretLab's 2020 models are already down to prices that rival last year's Black Friday gaming chair deals, with a range of models sitting at $359 across the US right now.

    Not only are we expecting discounts to be heavier this year, but we're likely to return to a longer period of holiday sales as well. Adobe reports that the majority of retailers dropped their prices significantly at the start of Thanksgiving week last year, but before that, the entire discount season had been running since mid-October. A surge in online retail, and the delayed Amazon Prime Day, meant that retailers were pushing their end-of-year discounts all the way through Fall.

    It paid off as well, with 2020's holiday season bringing retailers an estimated $188 billion worth of revenue across the period. Such success means it's likely we'll see a similar trend in 2021, so be ready to start crunching some numbers well before Black Friday weekend officially kicks off.

    We've got everything you need to know about the Black Friday gaming chair deals in 2021 right here, with all our latest predictions and top tips on finding the best offers. Keep this page bookmarked because as soon as November rolls around, we'll be rounding up all the biggest discounts right here as well.

    The 3 best gaming chairs to look for on Black Friday

    Secretlab Titan best gaming chair at an angle on a white background

    (Image credit: Secretlab)

    Secretlab Titan

    Best gaming chair for plush comfort

    Dimensions: 29.5 x 27.5 x 57 inches (W x D x H) | Seat height: 19.5 - 23 inches (minimum to maximum) | Maximum load: 290 pounds

    Extra-large seat
    Adjustable, integrated lumbar support
    High-quality design and construction
    Limited height adjustment

    The SecretLab Titan is almost always in the top 5 when it comes to picking the best gaming chair. It's not hard to see why. The racing seat-style design is far more subtle compared to other manufacturers so you can get away with using it as an office chair, too. Sure, it's a bit pricey, but you definitely get your money's worth with this one.

    Corsair T3 Rush best gaming chair at an angle on a white background

    (Image credit: Corsair)

    Corsair T3 Rush

    Understated beauty

    Dimensions: 34.8 x 27.2 x 14.8 inches (W x D x H) | Seat height: 17.5 - 21 inches (minimum to maximum) | Maximum load: 264.5lbs

    Affordable
    Comfortable, plush support
    Can support a surprisingly heavy load
    Gaming aesthetic subdued
    Frame is plastic, not metal
    Wheels are also plastic and cheap looking

    The Corsair T3 Rush lacks that over-the-top gamer design that can put off many from a purchase. In fact, it basically looks like any other computer chair out there. It's certainly a more premium one, though, and that comes through in just how comfortable it is. That's all thanks to the breathable soft fabric exterior, memory foam lumbar support and extremely customizable backrest position.

    Razer Iskur best gaming chair at an angle on a white background

    (Image credit: Razer)

    Razer Iskur

    A solid first effort

    Dimensions: 66.55 x 74.55 x 137.11 cm (W × D × H) | Seat height (Minimum to maximum): 174 to 181 cm | Maximum load: Less than 136kg

    Premium construction
    Firm but comfortable
    Built-in adjustable lumbar support
    Not great for larger gamers
    Can't sit cross-legged

    This is Razer's first foray into the world of gaming chairs we're suitably impressed with it. It shies away from the RGB lighting displays of its other gaming peripherals and instead focuses on delivering a high-quality gaming throne with a solid and comfortable build that rounds out your Razer-filled set-up quite nicely.

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  • US signs up to major global cybersecurity campaign

    US Vice President Kamala Harrishas  announced that the country is now part of an international agreement on cybersecurity, joining 80 other countries, along with hundreds of tech companies, including Microsoft and Google.

    The voluntary Paris Call for Trust and Security in Cyberspace was established in 2018 to create international norms and laws for cybersecurity and warfare.

    According to a White House statement, the US support of the Paris Call is a reflection of the current Biden administration's priority to actively engage with the international community on cyber issues.

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    “The United States looks forward to continued partnership with France and other governments, private sector, and civil society around the world to advance and promote norms of responsible behavior in cyberspace,” read the statement.  

    Priority cybersecurity

    The statement adds that as part of the Paris Call, the US looks forward to working with like-minded countries in order to hold accountable States that engage in “destructive, disruptive, and destabilizing cyber activity.”

    Citing it as another initiative to help improve cybersecurity for American citizens and business, the US says it builds on top of the recent counter-ransomware engagement with over 30 countries around the world to combat cybercrime.

    Meanwhile, in an unrelated development, David McKeown, chief information security officer, at the US Department of Defense (DoD), shared that the Pentagon will formally launch a new office tasked with accelerating the adoption of a new Zero Trust cybersecurity model

    Add another layer of security by protecting your accounts with security keys, in addition to protecting computers with the best endpoint protection tools

    Read More

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