Aussie Debutant Wins NBA 2K League Award

Thursday, June 1, 2023

In his inaugural season, Harry ‘HarryVZN’ Spierings was the first player to receive the NBA 2K League Player of the Week award for the 5v5 tournament.

Harry 'HarryVZN' Spierings has become the first player named NBA 2K League Player of the Week for the 5v5 tournament this season. The crazy part? It was his first week ever in the competition.

Harry shocked the league in his debut with NBL Oz Gaming, he top-scored with 19 points in his first ever game - a 65-44 win over HeatCheck Gaming - and averaged 17 points and 7 assists in his first week in the professional league.

NBL Oz Gaming is still unbeaten in the format in its first season in the competition, and improved to a 4-0 record in 5v5 play yesterday.

Harry admitted he was unsure of how his first few games with NBL Oz Gaming would play out, but went in with a clear mindset thatnks to the help provided from his more experienced teammates.

“I didn’t know how I was going to start the season. Going back a couple of months ago, I didn’t know how I was going to play when I first got here,” Harry said.

“I approach every game the same from a mental standpoint.”

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">He's the Aussie taking the <a href="https://twitter.com/NBA2KLeague?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NBA2KLeague</a> by storm ??<br><br>Congratulations to <a href="https://twitter.com/RealHvzn?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RealHvzn</a> on being named Player of the Week after helping NBL Oz Gaming to a 3-0 start in the 5v5 season.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DownUnderdogs?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DownUnderdogs</a> <a href="https://t.co/r25qEbqgIj">pic.twitter.com/r25qEbqgIj</a></p>— NBL Oz Gaming ??? (@nblozgaming) <a href="https://twitter.com/nblozgaming/status/1663318382522015746?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 29, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

NBL's 4-0 record is currently good enough for top spot on the eastern conference ladder.

Harry was the third player from the side to receive Player of the Week honours so far this season, after DjayTooCold and Jyden took out nominations during the 3v3 tournament.

Despite the team's recent success, Harry says he's not resting on his laurels as he looks to attack the rest of the 5v5 campaign.

“I just want to keep getting better, improving on my game. I’ve got a lot of things I can do better,” harry said.

“I was worried about defence more than offence and I didn’t want to give up too many points.

“From a team perspective, I want to keep winning,” he said.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">HARRY. IS. HIM.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DownUnderdogs?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DownUnderdogs</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/RealHvzn?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RealHvzn</a> <a href="https://t.co/p46fMash9I">pic.twitter.com/p46fMash9I</a></p>— NBL Oz Gaming ??? (@nblozgaming) <a href="https://twitter.com/nblozgaming/status/1661506261333213184?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 24, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

He added the advice and help he has gained through head coach Mitchell ‘Mootyy’ Franklin and his teammates has calmed his nerves to perform at his best alongside his NBL team.

“They all teach me stuff and I just listen and learn everyday,” Harry said.

“I don’t try and think about it too much because then I’ll get in my head so I just prepare how I can for what I have to do.”

Harry and the NBL squad will fight for a 5-0 record in their next game against Gen.G Tigers tomorrow at 9:00am AEST.

You can watch the game live and free on the NBA 2K League Twitch and YouTube channels.