In an electrifying video announcement, NRG Esports marked its comeback to the competitive Counter Strike arena with the introduction of a new roster for CS2. The revelation was made public by none other than co-owner Sapnap and CEO Andy Miller, putting an end to the speculation that had been making rounds earlier in the month. Andy Miller had previously hinted at this development during his appearance on the League of Legends podcast "The Crossover," confirming the organization's intention to make a significant impact in the North American region once again.
A Blend of Experience and Talent
The newly assembled team boasts a blend of veteran savvy and youthful exuberance. At the helm is Damian Steele, known widely by his in-game moniker 'Daps.' At 30 years old, Daps is no stranger to the high-pressure world of competitive Counter Strike, having accrued a plethora of achievements over his career. His most recent stint as a coach for Team Liquid in both 2022 and 2023 stands testament to his deep understanding of the game. Daps' history with NRG dates back to 2018-2019, right before the team's previous CS:GO roster was sold.
Accompanying Daps is Vincent Cayonte, or 'Brehze,' a familiar face from Evil Geniuses. This 25-year-old talent had a prior tenure with Daps in NRG before transitioning to Evil Geniuses, where he spent four years. However, following a less-than-stellar 2023 season, Brehze has decided to return to NRG, reuniting with his former teammate.
Josh Ohm, better known as 'oSee,' is another notable addition to the squad. After being benched amid a significant restructuring of Team Liquid's CS2 lineup, oSee was compelled to find a new home, and NRG provided just that. His arrival is poised to inject a fresh dynamic into the team's playstyle.
Jadan Postma, also known as 'HexT,' adds further firepower to the roster. His decision to leave Evil Geniuses on November 28 came after a solid 18-month period with the organization, setting the stage for his next chapter with NRG.
Rounding out the lineup is Justin Coakley, whose in-game alias is 'FaNg.' Previously benched by Complexity to make room for Jonathan Jablonowski, FaNg has seized the opportunity to continue his professional journey with NRG.
NRG Esports' Storied Legacy
NRG Esports has been a staple in the North American esports scene since its inception in late 2015. Initially, the organization gained traction by acquiring the former Method squad, which included renowned players such as Fatih "gob b" Dayik and Nikola "LEGIJA" Ninić, among others. This move laid the foundation for what would become a prominent force in competitive gaming.
The period between 2018 and 2019 marked a golden era for NRG's CS:GO team, showcasing a star-studded lineup featuring Tarik Celik, Ethan Arnold, and Peter "stanislaw" Jarguz, along with Brehze and Tsvetelin "CeRq" Dimitrov. Under the guidance of Daps and coach Chet "ImAPet" Singh, the team solidified its status as one of the top contenders in the region.
During this time, NRG achieved remarkable success, including a fourth-place finish at the 2019 StarLadder Berlin Major. Following the sale of their roster to Evil Geniuses, the team continued to triumph, securing wins at prestigious events like the 2019 ESL One: New York and the StarSeries i-League Season 8.
However, September 2019 witnessed NRG's temporary withdrawal from the competitive CS scene when it sold its then fourth-ranked global roster to Evil Geniuses for a reported $3 million, according to esports insider Guillaume "neL" Ratier.
This resurgence of NRG into CS comes at a tumultuous time for the North American esports landscape, with major shifts such as Team Liquid's relocation from NA to EU. Moreover, there are rumblings about Evil Geniuses potentially exiting the esports domain, leaving a void that NRG seems more than ready to fill.
As the esports community watches with anticipation, NRG's strategic re-entry into the competitive Counter Strike sphere with a roster blending seasoned leaders and promising talents could herald a new era for the organization and North American esports alike.