In a recent video announcement featuring co-owner Sapnap and CEO Andy Miller, NRG Esports declared its re-entry into the competitive Counter-Strike scene with its new roster for CS2. This move has ended months of speculation, confirming the organization's commitment to reignite its presence in the North American region.
The rumors of NRG's return were initially sparked by comments made by Miller during an episode of the "The Crossover" podcast, which is primarily focused on League of Legends. The organization has now cemented its intentions to compete at the highest levels once again.
A Veteran Leader
At the helm of the new squad is veteran player Damian Steele, better known as Daps. At 30 years old, Daps is no stranger to the esports arena, carrying a significant track record of accomplishments. He has recently been involved with Team Liquid, serving as a coach throughout both 2022 and 2023. His history with NRG dates back to 2018-2019, before he parted ways with the team ahead of their previous roster being sold.
Renowned Talent Rejoins
Daps will be joined by Vincent Cayonte, alias Brehze, who makes a comeback from Evil Geniuses. The 25-year-old rifler had previously shared the stage with Daps in NRG's earlier formation. Following a four-year stint with Evil Geniuses that culminated in a less than stellar 2023 season, Brehze has decided to return to his former home at NRG.
Another notable addition to the team is Josh Ohm, or oSee, transitioning from Team Liquid after being benched earlier in the month. With Liquid undergoing a significant overhaul, reducing their CS2 team to merely two players, oSee was compelled to find a new base, which he found in NRG.
Jadan Postma, also known in the gaming world as HexT, has bolstered the lineup after leaving Evil Geniuses on November 28. His nearly one-and-a-half-year tenure with the organization concluded just in time for him to embark on this new chapter with NRG.
Completing the roster is Justin Coakley, known as FaNg, who had been sidelined for several months following his previous organization Complexity's decision to incorporate Jonathan Jablonowski into their team. FaNg's transition opened up space for the new member and led him directly to NRG's welcoming doors.
NRG Esports' Legacy in CS
NRG Esports has been a prominent name in the North American esports landscape since its inception in late 2015. The organization first gained recognition with a Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) team that played a pivotal role in its growth and popularity. The original lineup included Fatih "gob b" Dayik, Nikola "LEGIJA" Ninić, Samuel "SileNt" Portillo, Justin "Just9n" Ortiz, and Peter "ptr" Gurney.
The period between 2018 and 2019 marked a golden era for NRG's CS:GO team, showcasing a star-studded ensemble with talents like Tarik Celik, Ethan Arnold, and Peter "stanislaw" Jarguz. Alongside Brehze and Tsvetelin "CeRq" Dimitrov, the team earned acclaim as one of the top contenders in the region. During this successful phase, Daps and Chet "ImAPet" Singh served as the coaches, leading the team to impressive finishes such as fourth place in the 2019 StarLadder Berlin Major. Under the banner of Evil Geniuses, they also clinched victories at the 2019 ESL One: New York and StarSeries i-League Season 8.
Despite these achievements, NRG stepped away from the competitive CS sphere in September 2019. They sold their then fourth-ranked global roster to Evil Geniuses for a reported $3 million, a deal disclosed by insider Guillaume "neL" Ratier.
The revival of NRG in CS comes amid a shifting landscape in North American Counter-Strike. Notably, Team Liquid has relocated from NA to EU, sparking discussions about the future of the region's esports scene. Rumors are also circulating about Evil Geniuses possibly exiting esports, which would leave a void with only a handful of major organizations remaining in North America.
With the unveiling of its new CS2 roster, NRG Esports is not just making a comeback but is also sending a strong message about its resolve to continue its legacy in the competitive Counter-Strike domain. Fans and competitors alike will be watching closely to see if this rejuvenated