Nicky Cuba
Nicky Cuba is an American former professional paintball player known for his involvement with Ground Zero, Sacramento XSV, the Los Angeles Ironmen and Infamous. Competing primarily during the 2000s and early 2010s, he was associated with XSV's championship-era team and later played for the Ironmen and Infamous.[1][2]
Cuba was inducted into the Paintball Hall of Icons in 2024 in recognition of his professional playing career.[3]
Playing career
[edit]Ground Zero
[edit]Cuba competed professionally for New York-based Ground Zero during the early 2000s.
He appeared on the team's published National Professional Paintball League (NPPL) professional roster in 2001, alongside players including Fritz Renner, Will Arroyo, Chris Cole and Max Lundqvist.[4]
Contemporary WARPIG coverage of the 2001 Mayhem Masters tournament in England described Cuba playing in the snake position for Ground Zero, which advanced to the professional finals.[5]
The surviving 2002 NPPL roster also lists Cuba with Ground Zero Black.[6]
Sacramento XSV
[edit]Cuba subsequently joined Sacramento XSV, also known as Excessive, a professional team formed in 2004.
He was part of the team during its successful 2005 and 2006 seasons, competing in the NPPL Super 7 World Series and Paintball Sports Promotions (PSP) events.
XSV won the 2005 PSP Northeast Open and the 2006 PSP Chicago Open.[7]
The team also won the opening two events of the 2006 NPPL season, defeating San Diego Dynasty in the final at Huntington Beach and winning the Tampa event.[8]
Cuba was listed on XSV's professional roster at the 2006 Southern Paintball Championships, wearing jersey number 21.[9]
He also appeared on the team's roster for the 2006 NPPL Commander's Cup.[10]
XSV's campaign during this period was documented in Heroes for a Day: The XSV Story, a film by Monkey With a Gun Productions that followed the team's efforts to win major professional tournaments.
Cuba was among the players featured in the documentary.[11]
Los Angeles Ironmen
[edit]Cuba joined the Los Angeles Ironmen ahead of the 2007 professional season.
Contemporary WARPIG coverage of the 2007 PSP Los Angeles Open identified Cuba as a recent addition to the team, joining a roster that included Oliver Lang, Pete Utschig, Bryon Benini and Shane Pestana.
The Ironmen won the event, defeating Russian Legion in the final.[12]
Cuba continued competing for the Ironmen during subsequent seasons.
In 2008, he was selected for the NPPL All-Star Game as a member of the South Conference team.[13]
Infamous
[edit]Cuba subsequently joined Infamous.
An August 2012 profile published by Social Paintball identified him as a member of the team, following his earlier periods with XSV and the Ironmen.[2]
He remained with Infamous during the 2013 PSP season.
Social Paintball's 2013 preseason guide identified Cuba as one of the team's principal midfield players, alongside Damian Ryan and Brad McCurley.[14]
Coaching
[edit]Cuba also participated in paintball coaching and player development.
In February 2013, he was an instructor at Boston Paintball's annual Combine training event in Massachusetts.
The programme brought together 65 participants for practical coaching, including snapshooting, breakout techniques, laning and individual drills.[15]
Media appearances
[edit]Cuba appeared in several tournament paintball films and video productions.
He was a featured subject of Heroes for a Day: The XSV Story, which documented XSV's professional tournament programme.
He also appeared in a bonus player profile included with Cereal Killerz 2, produced by Monkey With a Gun Productions.[11][16]
His playing career was profiled in Social Paintball's Paintball Legends Series on 9 August 2012.[2]
Recognition
[edit]Cuba was inducted into the Paintball Hall of Icons as part of its 2024 class.
The organisation recognised his contributions to professional tournament paintball, particularly his performances with XSV, the Ironmen and Infamous.
Its historical profile highlighted his aggressive playing style, adaptability across field positions and leadership within professional teams.[3]
See also
[edit]- Ground Zero (paintball team)
- Sacramento XSV
- Los Angeles Ironmen
- Infamous (paintball team)
- Heroes for a Day: The XSV Story
- Cereal Killerz 2
References
[edit]- Iconic Paintball, "50 Greatest Paintball Players of All-Time", historical profile of Nicky Cuba and his professional teams.
- Handy Tims, "Paintball Legends Series – Nicky Cuba", Social Paintball, 9 August 2012.
- Iconic Paintball, "Hall of Icons – Class of 2024", official induction profile for Nicky Cuba.
- WARPIG, "NPPL 2001 Professional Rosters", Ground Zero player listing.
- WARPIG, "Mayhem Masters 2001", contemporary tournament report documenting Cuba's participation with Ground Zero.
- Bunker Buddy, "Ground Zero Historic Rosters", transcription of the 2001 and 2002 NPPL professional rosters.
- PBLeagues, "Sacramento XSV", historical PSP tournament results, 2004–2007.
- WARPIG, "NPPL Huntington Beach 2006", contemporary report documenting XSV's victory over San Diego Dynasty.
- WARPIG, "Southern Paintball Championships 2006", professional team rosters.
- NPPL Super 7 World Series, "2006 Commander's Cup Professional Rosters", contemporary roster announcement reproduced on PBHub.
- WARPIG, "Heroes for a Day: The XSV Story", contemporary film review documenting Cuba's appearance.
- WARPIG, "PSP Los Angeles Open 2007", contemporary tournament report documenting Cuba's arrival at the Ironmen.
- "NPPL Allstars 2008", contemporary NPPL All-Star rosters reproduced on PBHub, 9 May 2008.
- Lawrence Abernathy, "Los Angeles Infamous – 2013 PSP Preseason Guide", Social Paintball, 1 March 2013.
- Nick Slowiak, "Clinic in Boston Paintball, Massachusetts!", G.I. Sportz, 11 February 2013.
- WARPIG, "Cereal Killerz 2", contemporary review identifying the Nicky Cuba bonus feature.