In a move that's set the North American esports community abuzz, NRG Esports has announced its re-entry into the competitive Counter Strike arena with CS2. The announcement came via a video featuring co-owner Sapnap and CEO Andy Miller, unveiling a roster that reunites some familiar faces.
After much speculation, the rumors of NRG's return were confirmed by Miller during an appearance on the "The Crossover" League of Legends podcast. The organization is poised to make a splash in the North American region, bringing together a mix of seasoned veterans and emerging talents.
The Veteran Leader
At the helm of the new lineup is Damian "Daps" Steele, a 30-year-old veteran whose experience in the scene is nearly unrivaled. Daps is well-known for his strategic acumen and leadership qualities, having achieved numerous accolades throughout his career. Prior to this new venture, he served as a coach for Team Liquid in both 2022 and 2023, after playing for NRG from 2018 to 2019. His departure from NRG previously occurred just before the organization sold its former CS:GO roster, marking this return as a significant homecoming.
Reuniting Former Teammates
Joining Daps is Vincent "Brehze" Cayonte, who at 25 years old, brings a powerful combination of youth and experience. Brehze's history with NRG dates back to his time competing alongside Daps before the team transitioned to Evil Geniuses. After four years with Evil Geniuses and a particularly challenging 2023 season, Brehze returns to NRG, ready to recapture his former glory.
Another notable addition is sharpshooter Josh "oSee" Ohm, formerly of Liquid. oSee was left seeking a new team following Liquid's decision to bench him amid a broader restructuring, which saw their CS2 team reduced to just two players. His recruitment to NRG signals a fresh start and a chance to prove his mettle in a new environment.
New Blood
Jadan "HexT" Postma is the latest talent to join the ranks, leaving Evil Geniuses on November 28 after an 18-month tenure. His arrival at NRG adds a layer of fresh skill and ambition to the squad.
Rounding out the roster is Justin "FaNg" Coakley, who found himself benched when Complexity Gaming reshuffled their team to make room for Jonathan "EliGE" Jablonowski. FaNg's transition to NRG presents an opportunity to revitalize his career and showcase his abilities on a grand stage.
NRG Esports' Storied History
Since its inception in late 2015, NRG has been a prominent force in North American esports. The organization initially gained traction with a CS:GO team composed of Fatih "gob b" Dayik, Nikola "LEGIJA" Ninić, Samuel "SileNt" Portillo, Justin "Just9n" Ortiz, and Peter "ptr" Gurney. This early roster laid the groundwork for what would become a renowned competitive legacy.
From 2018 to 2019, NRG's CS:GO team reached new heights, boasting an all-star lineup that featured Tarik Celik, Ethan Arnold, and Peter "stanislaw" Jarguz, alongside Brehze and Tsvetelin "CeRq" Dimitrov. With Daps and Chet "ImAPet" Singh coaching, the team cemented itself as one of the best in the region. A crowning achievement was their fourth-place finish at the 2019 StarLadder Berlin Major, followed by victories at ESL One: New York and StarSeries i-League Season 8 under the Evil Geniuses banner.
However, in September 2019, NRG took a step back from competitive CS, selling its globally fourth-ranked roster to Evil Geniuses for a reported $3 million, according to insider Guillaume "neL" Ratier. This sale marked the end of an era for NRG, but not the end of their competitive journey.
NRG's resurgence comes at a time of considerable flux within the North American CS landscape. Team Liquid's surprising move from NA to EU and rumors of Evil Geniuses potentially exiting esports altogether have left only a handful of major organizations in the region. NRG's return is not just a revival of their own competitive aspirations but also a bolstering of the North American CS scene at a critical juncture.
With a blend of experience and new talent, NRG Esports looks