In an electrifying video announcement, NRG Esports marked its comeback to the competitive Counter-Strike scene with the unveiling of a new North American roster. The reveal, featuring co-owner Sapnap and CEO Andy Miller, comes amid a flurry of speculation that has finally been put to rest. During an episode of the "The Crossover" League of Legends podcast, Miller confirmed the rumors that had been circulating about NRG's re-entry into the CS circuit.
NRG's Veteran-Led Roster
The team is set to be spearheaded by Damian Steele, known in the gaming community as Daps. At 30 years old, Daps is no stranger to the rigors of competitive play, bringing a storied history of achievements and leadership experience. His resume includes a coaching stint for Team Liquid throughout 2022 and 2023. Fans will recall Daps' previous tenure with NRG between 2018 and 2019, which concluded just prior to the organization selling its former CS:GO roster.
Daps is joined by Vincent Cayonte, better known as Brehze, who returns to NRG after a four-year period with Evil Geniuses. The 25-year-old, who previously played alongside Daps at NRG, has decided to rejoin his old squad following a less than stellar year with Evil Geniuses.
Josh Ohm, or oSee, is another high-profile addition to the roster, coming from Team Liquid after being benched earlier in the month. With Liquid undergoing a significant restructuring—paring down their CS2 team to just two players—oSee was compelled to find a new team, landing him a spot with NRG.
Jadan Postma, also known as HexT, strengthens the lineup further after his departure from Evil Geniuses on November 28. His near one-and-a-half-year engagement with the organization culminated in his move to NRG.
Rounding out the roster is Justin Coakley, alias FaNg, who found himself without a team after Complexity Gaming benched him to make room for Jonathan Jablonowski. Now, FaNg brings his talents to NRG, completing a roster brimming with potential.
A Look Back at NRG's CS Legacy
NRG Esports first emerged in late 2015, quickly gaining traction in the esports world with a CS:GO team that propelled the organization's growth and popularity. Initially signing the former Method squad, NRG's roster included notable players such as Fatih "gob b" Dayik, Nikola "LEGIJA" Ninić, Samuel "SileNt" Portillo, Justin "Just9n" Ortiz, and Peter "ptr" Gurney.
The organization hit its stride between 2018 and 2019, assembling an all-star cast that featured Tarik Celik, Ethan Arnold, and Peter "stanislaw" Jarguz. Alongside Brehze and Tsvetelin "CeRq" Dimitrov, and under the guidance of coaches like Daps and Chet "ImAPet" Singh, this lineup cemented NRG's status as a top contender in the region.
During this golden era, NRG achieved remarkable success, including a fourth-place finish at the 2019 StarLadder Berlin Major. Following the transition to Evil Geniuses, the team continued to excel, claiming victories at the 2019 ESL One: New York and the StarSeries i-League Season 8.
However, in September 2019, NRG made a surprising exit from competitive CS, selling its then fourth-ranked global roster to Evil Geniuses for a reported $3 million, according to insider Guillaume "neL" Ratier.
Shifting Tides in North American CS
NRG's return to competitive Counter Strike occurs during a time of considerable upheaval in the North American esports scene. In a move that caught many off guard, Team Liquid announced their relocation from NA to EU. Meanwhile, rumors abound that Evil Geniuses may be considering an exit from esports, which would significantly reduce the number of major NA organizations within the scene.
This reshuffling presents both challenges and opportunities for NRG as they navigate the evolving landscape of North American Counter Strike. With a blend of seasoned veterans and hungry newcomers, NRG's reformed roster is poised to make waves in the competitive circuit. As the team gears up for their next chapter, the esports community watches with bated breath, eager to witness the resurgence of a once-dominant force within the scene.