An Interview with Cole “fluffyVGC” Basham

October 26, 2026

By Cameron Welte

Oct 12, 2026

Over the weekend of September 18, 2026, Cole “fluffyVGC” Basham stepped foot into his second full year of competitive Pokémon at the 2027 Baltimore Regional Championships. With a little over a year of experience in the VGC scene, he went into this season with the simple goal of making it to Day 2, but exceeded his expectations, leaving with 13 wins under his belt and placing 8th out of 1,079 players. 

After speaking with Cole about his time in Baltimore, he shared more about some of his favorite moments, the new connections he made within the Pokémon community, and immense support he felt from the arena.

How’d you get into VGC and how did you feel leading up to this season?

From the beginning, I got seriously into VGC about two years ago from one of my friends. We were in an ensemble together, playing in the School of Music, and I mentioned that I liked Pokemon. She said, ‘Oh, you should try out VGC,’ and I decided to get into it.

I competed all year last season and did not get to Day 2 at any event, so I was really upset about it. And then, leading up to Baltimore, something felt different. I definitely felt like I had a chance to do at least Day 2. I felt like I’d probably sneak in and finish 7-6 or something. I’d be fine with that. Then, we went to the tournament, and, well, I just kept winning. That’s the bright way of putting it–I just kinda kept winning. I went to six regionals last year and did not make it a single Day 2, so the jump from not making Day 2 to getting 8th place at the largest Regional ever–it meant a lot to me.

What was your favorite moment from Baltimore?

Beating Wolfe Glick [WolfeyVGC], definitely. All of my friends were freaking out because I had just lost round 12, and to make it into Top Cut, you need to be 11-2. So both me and Wolfe–for context Wolfe is a former International Champion, World Champion, any tournament you can think of, Wolfe has won it [Wolfe Glick is known as one of the most popular VGC players of all time, often influencing the meta with his team comps and strategies. He has won 10 regional, 2 national, 2 international VGC tournaments and was the 2016 World Champion. Alongside competitive play, he creates Pokémon content on Youtube, with his channel sitting at over 2 million subscribers.] He’s such a great content creator and a great guy; getting to play him meant everything to me. I look up to the guy. Being able to sit across from him at the table, and being able to beat him for sure. I remember very, very well, my Delphox lived on 1 HP and got a double KO in return to win the game. I didn’t react at all because I was being respectful, and my friends didn’t know; they thought I lost, and I got up from the table. I think the best part was the looks on their faces when they realized I won, that was the big thing. Getting in the cut was a lot cooler [because of the win against Wolfe].

Did you ever expect to go this far in any VGC tournament?

No, I had seen myself doing a couple Day 2s in my time, maybe one Top Cut if I’m lucky. And now, being considered one of the top players in the nation is very new and not something I’m used to. My friends joke, when I play them at Locals, they’re scared to play me. Being on their [top VGC players] level, I feel like I’m eating at the big kids’ table. That’s the best way I could put it.

What’s next for you in VGC?

This weekend, at the time we’re recording, is the Louisville Regional, and I’ll be hoping to replicate what I did three weeks ago at Baltimore. We’ll see if I do good at that, and in August, the main goal is to go to Worlds. It’ll be in Singapore, and I’m really, really hoping I can go. I’m currently sitting in first place in the continental standings; in all of North America, I’m first place. So, that’s the end goal–to go to Worlds.

How has the Esports Arena supported you, both inside and out of Pokémon?

The arena has always been a second home to me, it always has. Whether it was my freshman year, when I had to pay to get in, or how it’s been ever since I got my job during my sophomore year–I’ve always enjoyed working here. Everyone is so great; all of my friends that come here, all of the people I work with, they’re all great people. We’re so lucky to have this place. And JP–I can thank him so much for this. He supported me; he knew that I really wanted to get this at some point and being able to tell him that I did it was definitely a really cool thing, especially as someone who’s been in esports as long as him. Knowing this can keep going, I think that’s the big thing, and anyone can do this. I just play the game, and at the end of the day, sometimes you get good results; and I’m hoping to keep that up.

Who’s your favorite Pokémon and do you use them on your team?

No, sadly, I don’t use them on my team. My favorite Pokémon is Cinderace, a starter from Generation 8, the Sword and Shield games. Although, I can say I do have a Pokémon that’s gotten into my top three, from my recent success. This is my Delphox plush that I got. My friend got it for me when I was 10-1in the tournament. So, definitely top three favorite Pokémon; it’s also a starter, a fire type starter like Cinderace, so this guy is definitely in my top three.

 

What did you bring home from the tournament?

When you get Top 8, you get a special mat. It says “Top 8” in the bottom left corner and all that, which is really cool. I was gonna have people sign this, but I didn’t have it at the time. So, my friend, who was a judge, gave me their staff mat, and all of my friends in Pokémon signed the mat. It was very heartfelt; I did cry. And my signature is here because I figured it would make sense if I signed it as well. This is the big prize, other than all the rest of the stuff I got last weekend.

Cole’s VGC journey is just beginning, as he has many more Regionals, and hopefully, Worlds in his future this season and beyond. With his community fostered in the arena and new connections in the world of VGC, he has all the support he could ask for as he continues to improve and, of course, have fun in this new competitive environment.