In an electrifying video announcement, NRG Esports marked its re-entry into the competitive arena of Counter-Strike with the introduction of a new roster for CS2. The revelation, featuring co-owner Sapnap and CEO Andy Miller, ended weeks of speculation as it confirmed NRG's comeback to the North American competitive scene.
Andy Miller had initially sparked rumors during his appearance on the "The Crossover," a League of Legends podcast, where he hinted at the organization's plans. This strategic move aligns with NRG's ambition to establish its presence in the evolving landscape of North American esports.
A Blend of Experience and Talent
NRG's new lineup boasts a mix of veteran savvy and youthful vigor, led by the seasoned Damian Steele, known in the gaming world as Daps. At 30 years old, Daps is no stranger to the high-stakes environment of professional CS, having accrued numerous accolades throughout his career. His most recent roles include coaching stints with Team Liquid in both 2022 and 2023. Daps's history with NRG dates back to 2018-2019, prior to his departure just before the team's previous CS:GO roster was sold.
Reuniting with Daps is Vincent Cayonte, better known as Brehze. The 25-year-old sharpshooter returns to NRG after a four-year tenure with Evil Geniuses—a period that culminated in a less-than-ideal 2023 season, prompting his transition. Brehze's previous experience with NRG, alongside Daps, sets the stage for a potentially dynamic partnership within the team.
The roster also welcomes Josh Ohm, alias oSee, from Team Liquid. After being benched amidst Liquid's major roster overhaul—which saw their CS2 team reduced to two players—oSee has found a new home with NRG. His addition is expected to inject fresh energy into the squad.
Jadan Postma, or HexT, strengthens the team's composition following his departure from Evil Geniuses on November 28. With an 18-month stint at the North American organization under his belt, HexT brings both regional familiarity and competitive drive to NRG.
Completing the ensemble is Justin Coakley, known as FaNg, who transitions to NRG after a period of inactivity due to being benched at Complexity. His move followed Complexity's decision to bring in Jonathan Jablonowski, necessitating a reshuffle that now sees FaNg poised to make his mark with NRG.
NRG Esports' Competitive Legacy
Since its inception in late 2015, NRG Esports quickly became a prominent name in the North American esports circuit, largely propelled by its original CS:GO team. The early roster, comprising Fatih "gob b" Dayik, Nikola "LEGIJA" Ninić, Samuel "SileNt" Portillo, Justin "Just9n" Ortiz, and Peter "ptr" Gurney, laid the foundation for the organization's growth and popularity.
Between 2018 and 2019, NRG's CS:GO team rose to prominence with a star-studded lineup that included Tarik Celik, Ethan Arnold, and Peter "stanislaw" Jarguz. Together with Brehze and Tsvetelin "CeRq" Dimitrov, this powerhouse team cultivated a formidable reputation, positioning NRG as one of the top contenders in the region. During this golden era, Daps and coach Chet "ImAPet" Singh were instrumental in guiding the team to significant achievements, such as a fourth-place finish at the 2019 StarLadder Berlin Major.
Their success continued under the banner of Evil Geniuses, securing victories at prestigious events like the 2019 ESL One: New York and the StarSeries i-League Season 8. Despite these triumphs, NRG departed from the CS scene in September 2019, selling its then fourth-ranked global roster to Evil Geniuses for a reported $3 million, according to insider Guillaume "neL" Ratier.
This return to CS comes at a time when the North American esports scene is undergoing notable changes. With Team Liquid's surprising relocation from NA to EU and whispers of Evil Geniuses possibly exiting esports, NRG's resurgence could be pivotal in maintaining a competitive North American presence in the international CS2 circuit.
As the dust settles on these recent developments, all eyes will be on NRG's reassembled team to see if they can recapture the magic that once made them a dominant force in the world of Counter-Strike.