In a stunning development for the esports community, NRG Esports has announced its re-entry into competitive Counter-Strike with the introduction of a new North American roster. This news was confirmed in a video announcement featuring co-owner Sapnap and CEO Andy Miller. The reveal ends weeks of speculation about NRG's plans, which were initially hinted at by Miller during an appearance on the "The Crossover," a League of Legends podcast.
NRG's Veteran-Led Roster
The team's return is spearheaded by Damian Steele, better known as Daps, a seasoned figure in the CS scene. At 30, Daps's strategic acumen and extensive experience are expected to be pivotal for the team's success. His history with NRG dates back to 2018-2019, and he recently served as a coach for Team Liquid throughout 2022 and 2023. His leadership will undoubtedly be a cornerstone for the newly minted squad.
Accompanying Daps is Vincent Cayonte, or Brehze, a name synonymous with high-level play in the CS circuit. Brehze, formerly of Evil Geniuses, reunites with Daps after a four-year stint with his previous team. Despite a challenging year in 2023 with Evil Geniuses, Brehze's decision to return to NRG is a testament to his commitment to reigniting his career under a familiar banner.
NRG's roster is further bolstered by Josh Ohm, also known as oSee, who joins from Team Liquid following a period on the bench amidst significant team changes. With Liquid downsizing their CS2 team, oSee's move to NRG represents a fresh start for the talented player.
Jadan Postma, better known as HexT, is another addition, leaving Evil Geniuses on November 28 after a tenure of almost one and a half years. His departure and subsequent signing with NRG add a layer of youthful energy and potential to the roster.
Completing the lineup is Justin Coakley, alias FaNg. After being sidelined due to Complexity's roster adjustments, which included bringing in Jonathan Jablonowski, FaNg seized the opportunity to join NRG, looking to prove his worth in this new chapter of his professional career.
A Look Back at NRG's Competitive Legacy
NRG Esports first made its mark on the esports world in late 2015, quickly gaining recognition with a Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) team that fueled the organization's growth. The original lineup featured Fatih "gob b" Dayik, Nikola "LEGIJA" Ninić, Samuel "SileNt" Portillo, Justin "Just9n" Ortiz, and Peter "ptr" Gurney, which laid the foundation for the team's future achievements.
Between 2018 and 2019, NRG's CS:GO team rose to prominence, boasting a star-studded roster with players like Tarik Celik, Ethan Arnold, and Peter "stanislaw" Jarguz. Alongside Brehze and Tsvetelin "CeRq" Dimitrov, the team carved out a reputation as a dominant force in the region, with Daps and Chet "ImAPet" Singh contributing as coaches during this golden era.
During this period, the team notched significant accomplishments, including a fourth-place finish at the 2019 StarLadder Berlin Major. Following their transition to the Evil Geniuses banner, they continued their winning ways with triumphs at the 2019 ESL One: New York and the StarSeries i-League Season 8.
However, in September 2019, NRG made the difficult decision to exit the competitive CS scene, selling its top-four globally ranked roster to Evil Geniuses for a reported $3 million, according to insider Guillaume "neL" Ratier.
Shifting Dynamics in North American CS
NRG's comeback occurs amidst a transformative period for North American Counter-Strike. Team Liquid's surprising relocation from NA to EU and whispers of Evil Geniuses potentially exiting esports have left the NA scene in a state of flux. These developments leave NRG as one of the few major organizations steadfast in supporting the region's competitive ambitions.
With a blend of veteran savvy and emerging talent, NRG's return to CS2 signals a renewed commitment to excellence and a desire to climb the ranks once more. Fans and competitors alike will be watching closely as this storied organization embarks on its latest competitive journey, aiming to recapture the glory of its past and chart a new course for success in the evolving landscape of