Jordan Polverino is, without a doubt, one of the best and most well-known players in the entire European Pro-Am community. From starting off as a Stage and Park player to becoming one of the top Pro-Am players in all of Europe, Jordan sat down with DIMER to discuss all things NBA 2K, including his favorite Pro-Am moments, European players in the NBA 2K League, and his own aspirations for making the league.
Player Bio
Name: Jordan Polverino
Age: 20
GT/PSN: WelshJordy-
Current Team: ‘SourSavoury 2K’ (formerly ‘Radiant 2K’)
Former Teams: ‘What Is Comp’, ‘Overtime 2K’
Honours/Achievements: VBL Champion x1, 2KLiga Champion x1, EPL Champion x1
The Interview
DIMER: Describe your 2K journey. When and why did you become interested in 2K and Pro-Am?
Jordy: I first started playing 2K on NBA 2K17, I played park and a little bit of stage but I wasn’t very good. When 2K18 dropped, I started to realise I was becoming a great player, I got recruited to a few park clans after playing U.S. Comp Stage every day and night. Midway through 2K18 I got approached by a Pro-Am team called ‘What Is Comp’ and they gave me a chance to prove my skills. My first ever comp game was against Throwdown2K. This was crazy to me because I didn’t even know what a 3-2 zone was but we somehow won. After a few months of Pro-Am I got addicted, and after I saw the announcement of the NBA 2K League I knew I had the potential to be a part of it.
Going into 2K19, I had a lot of confidence because of my previous year. I learned a lot and improved an insane amount in a short time. I won the VBL AveMario Cup with ‘Overtime 2K’, but then I left to focus on the NBA 2K League Combine. After the combine, I came back and competed with ‘Radiant 2K’ (now called ‘SourSavoury2K’), and we ended up winning two tournaments back-to-back (EPL and 2KLiga). After winning every tournament I had competed in, with two different teams, I was a proven winner and a top shooter. I took a break for a month to focus on the NBA 2K League Combine, where my performance was average and I knew I could’ve done better. Not getting an email was a major motivation drainer but I know I will make it one day.
SourSavoury2K on Twitter
Ggs to @ASMonacoEsports, back to back champions of @2KLiga and @EPL_2K 🏆 🏆. We ain’t done tho, @bgaeurope we’re coming for the Threepeat! 🏆 🏆 🏆
D: What makes you stand out compared to other 2K players and professional prospects?
J: I think what makes me stand out more than other prospects is that I am capable of playing 2-5 positions at a high level and I speak fluent English. I have great vision for reading plays on defense, which I think not many people can do even though rotations and switching is fundamental in 2K. I also have great shot selection and I’m a top shooter. I like to win, I’m always the guy staying composed and making sure my teammates are focused. It’s all mind games and how you react to the situation.
ʝσя∂an p🈂 on Twitter
My first time going for the league this year, unfortunate. I will make it sooner or later✍🏻My NO EMAIL tape. See you guys Szn 3 @ayo_RANKem @GsTaR____ 🗣 https://t.co/041vBM52kt
D: What do you think is your best on-court and off-court attribute?
J: On-court is easily my defense. My defensive IQ is insanely good and I read plays with ease. Off-court, my best attribute is my vibe. I’m the guy always smiling and joking around, I’m always trying to make new friends.
ʝσя∂an p🈂 on Twitter
@Sy_Lyvs hi bro https://t.co/H3sbY5MlDt https://t.co/gXvIpk0CQK
D: If you had to compare your play style to an NBA Player, who would it be?
J: I think I am like Klay Thompson, since my off-ball movement is unmatched and I usually get a lot of open looks from it. I can also handle the ball in PnR, and play solid defense on the other end of the floor.
ʝσя∂an p🈂 on Twitter
@mjb4062 @xxSENSEl https://t.co/fYwIWiWnp6
D: What’s been your favorite/most memorable Pro-Am game you’ve played in?
J: My most memorable Pro-Am game is my first ever competitive game against Throwdown2K. I didn’t know a thing about Pro-Am and everybody in the party was so happy and nervous that we found Throwdown. The funniest part was I didn’t even know who they were at the time. Either way, I played well and we won the game, that’s how I got my start in the European 2K scene.
4 1 6 on Twitter
Lol gg to throwdown @youFamousEnough
D: Where do you see the future of 2K in Europe?
J: I would really like to see more European players in the NBA 2K League because we have some really talented players and I don’t think the system shows the worldwide community that we can really hoop. I’d also really like to see a 2K Euroleague.
Below: An Interview with Harry Hurst, the only European player to get drafted in both Season 1 and Season 2 of the NBA 2K League
TUBPodcast on Twitter
📝 @Hazzaa_Hurst Q&A – the British gamer making waves in the @NBA2KLeague! Hear the @MavsGG star talk @NBA2K, swapping Reading for Dallas and why the NBA 2K League is proving so popular 👉 https://t.co/ItVR8b9gMH #BritishBasketball #NBA2KLeague
D: What steps do you think the EU community can take to grow and improve?
J: I think the main priority should be park. If you want more people interested in the game and in the NBA 2K League, you should start by making park fun to play and then advertise the league through the park billboards. I think people should stream more, because if you want people to know how good you are, that’s how you can show them. I’d also like to see more players branding themselves and contacting esports organizations to see if they can represent them. Money tournaments, or even a LAN tournament in Europe, that would be cool.
Below: A LAN event featuring two European teams as part of the All-Star Tournament in NBA 2K17
2K United Kingdom on Twitter
Congrats to the finalists of our #NBA2K17 EU All-Star Tournament: @YSL_UNiTED2k and team False x Prophets. See you in London on Tuesday!
D: What are your hopes for Pro-Am in NBA 2K20? Anything in particular for the EU community?
J: I would really like to see a European LAN event for Pro-Am since it would be good for getting more exposure for players, but I think that’s unlikely. More money tournaments with an increasing prize pool would be fun. I’m also hoping the NBA 2K League uses a different system for qualifying because I personally think the combine isn’t playable with so many trolls and this level of players.
Below: An example of an EU Pro-Am Tournament with a money prize, courtesy of WR Pro-Am League.
WR Pro-Am League on Twitter
European teams this is your last chance to sign up for the European Invasion Tournament! Please visit https://t.co/7C3CZdt5wG to sign up! @rafaelTGR2K
