In an electrifying video announcement, NRG Esports marked its re-entry into the competitive Counter Strike scene with CS2. The revelation was made public by co-owner Sapnap and CEO Andy Miller, showcasing a new North American roster that sees the return of some familiar faces.
Rumors of NRG's comeback had been circulating earlier in the month, but it wasn't until Miller's appearance on the "The Crossover" League of Legends podcast that confirmation was given. The organization is setting its sights on competing within the North American region, bringing both experience and fresh talent to the fore.
A Veteran Leader
At the helm of the new roster is seasoned player Damian Steele, better known as Daps. The 30-year-old veteran brings a rich history of competitive play and leadership, having achieved various accolades and recently serving as a coach for Team Liquid throughout 2022 and 2023. Daps' prior stint with NRG between 2018 and 2019 saw him leave just before the team's previous CS:GO roster was sold. His return signals not only a reunion but also a resurgence of strategic depth for the team.
Reunited Roster Members
Daps will be joined by Vincent Cayonte, alias Brehze, who makes his way back to NRG from Evil Geniuses. The 25-year-old has previously shared the stage with Daps during their time together on NRG. After spending four years with Evil Geniuses and experiencing a lackluster 2023, Brehze's transition back to NRG is poised to reignite his competitive spirit.
Josh Ohm, known in the gaming community as oSee, has also signed onto the roster following his benching from Liquid. With Liquid undergoing significant changes, reducing their CS2 team to a mere two players, oSee was compelled to find a new squad, landing him a spot with NRG.
New Additions
The team's strength continues to grow with the addition of Jadan Postma, or HexT, who left Evil Geniuses on November 28 after an impressive 18-month tenure. His recent departure adds another layer of skill and potential to the NRG lineup.
Completing the roster is Justin Coakley, known as FaNg, who joins after being benched for several months at Complexity. FaNg's move was precipitated by Complexity's decision to integrate Jonathan Jablonowski into their team, prompting Coakley's search for a new beginning, which he found with NRG.
NRG Esports' Legacy in CS
Since its inception in late 2015, NRG Esports quickly became a prominent name in the North American esports landscape, initially gaining recognition through its CS:GO team. The original lineup included Fatih "gob b" Dayik, Nikola "LEGIJA" Ninić, Samuel "SileNt" Portillo, Justin "Just9n" Ortiz, and Peter "ptr" Gurney, all of whom contributed to the organization's early success.
The period between 2018 and 2019 marked a golden era for NRG's CS:GO team, boasting a star-studded roster with Tarik Celik, Ethan Arnold, and Peter "stanislaw" Jarguz, alongside Brehze and Tsvetelin "CeRq" Dimitrov. This lineup propelled the team to the forefront of the scene, cemented by Daps and Chet "ImAPet" Singh in coaching roles. Their notable achievements include a fourth-place finish at the 2019 StarLadder Berlin Major and victories at ESL One: New York and StarSeries i-League Season 8 under the banner of Evil Geniuses.
The organization's initial withdrawal from competitive CS in September 2019 came as a shock to many, especially as it involved selling its globally ranked fourth roster to Evil Geniuses for a reported $3 million. This move, revealed by insider Guillaume "neL" Ratier, marked the end of an era for NRG.
Now, as NRG steps back into the fray, the North American CS landscape is undergoing significant shifts. With Team Liquid's surprising relocation from NA to EU and whispers of Evil Geniuses potentially exiting esports, the scene is ripe for NRG's renewed presence. Only time will tell how this storied organization will shape the future of North American Counter Strike competition.