TORONTO- The Raptors’ Uprising GC has swapped one of the pillars of its perfect regular NBA 2K League season, sending all-star center Jerry (ill) narrowly from the Venom GT Hornets to center Xavier (Typ) Vescovi on Saturday.
Knapp was an integral part of the Raptors’ esports squad, combining with star leader Kenneth (Kenny got Work) Hailey and lockdown defenseman Trent (Timelycook) Donald in a record-breaking campaign.
Hailey was named the league’s quintessential player and first-team star player alongside Knapp, while Donald was named Defensive Player of the Year and was named to the second star team. Hailey and Donald were also named to the league’s defensive team.
But despite a string of records including winning 16-0 in the regular season and winning two tournaments along the way, Toronto was short in the playoffs. He sent Vescovi and the Hornets to the quarterfinals before losing to future champion Wizards District Gaming in the semifinals.
“We really had a good thing going and I don’t think anyone would have asked us to bring this whole team together,” said Shane Talbot, e-sports director at Maple Leaf Sports and Enjoyment. “But we were not going to rest on our laurels.”
“We had excellent chemistry. You have to have the season we had,” he added. “But the chemistry is iterative, it comes and goes,” he added. “And of course we lost in the semi-finals.
“And with Type you get an absolute elite center. He didn’t have as much (talent) around him as he did the next season. So we believe that the combination of Kenny, Timely and Type will undoubtedly be the most difficult defense in the league.”
Vescovi was named to the league’s defensive team.
“I see a lot of defense. It’s going to be a fun year. Instant chemistry. Just a goal in mind,” Vescovi tweeted.
Vescovi and Knapp are both comfortable moving the ball and can play vendors. Their statistics of the last season are almost a reflection of each other.
Vescovi averaged 13.4 points, 12.1 rebounds, 6.1 assists, 2.7 interceptions and 3.0 blocks in 29 regular-season games last season. He ranks seventh overall for flights and 12th for rebounds per game, while leading the league for blocks per game during the regular season.
Knapp has averaged 14.3 points, 12.9 rebounds, 6.8 assists and 2.7 blocks in 36 regular season games. He ranks seventh overall for rebounds and blocks per game, eleventh for the percentage of goals on balls and among the top 25 for assists.
At 23, Vescovi is five years younger than Knapp.
And although both share qualities, according to Talbot, Vescovi is a little more aggressive than Knapp — “and this will be very welcome in our team next year in strike.”
In July, Vescovi was suspended for an unspecified violation of the league’s Code of Conduct of players. The Indianapolis native missed the tour tournament and a regular season game.
“Every player has strengths and weaknesses and the guy is very aware of the mistakes he has made in the past,” Talbot said.
The Raptors tried their luck on Donald during the draft after he left the season due to a suspension for another violation of the players’ Code of Conduct while he was at Kings Guard Gaming. Donald turned out to be a thief.
“We are confident that we will enter this trade with our eyes open and make a smart gesture again,” Talbot said.
Originally drafted in the fourth round (52nd overall) of Warriors Gaming Squad, Vescovi won the MVP award of the tournament. He went to Charlotte in the first row of the expansion draft.
He was drafted by Cavs Legion GC in the second round (19th overall) for the first time in the draft. A native of Verona, New Jersey, joined Toronto in the middle of the season in a transaction that sent Trevion (all Hail Trey) Hendrix to Cleveland.
