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Evil Geniuses parts ways with Reserve Roster after Champions Victory
Following their triumphant victory at the VALORANT Champions 2023, Evil Geniuses (EG) has decided to release the majority of their reserve VALORANT roster. These reserve players played a pivotal role in EG's success, but they are now available as unrestricted free agents for the upcoming VCT season. In this article, we'll delve into the details of this decision, the players affected, and the organization's rationale behind it.
Key Players Released
Four out of five reserve players, including Jeffrey “Reformed” Lu, Vincent “Apotheon” Le, Jacob “icy” Lange, and Brendan “BcJ” Jensen, along with coach Addison “zecK” Gorzec, will be available for other teams to acquire without any buyout fees. However, Kyle “ScrewFace” Jensen's status remains uncertain, as EG continues to explore options with him.
Reserve Players' Contribution
EG acknowledged the crucial role played by their reserve players in their historic VCT run. These individuals consistently scrimmed against and outperformed numerous VCT Americas teams, providing invaluable practice for EG's starting roster. Their dedication and drive to improve themselves and the main roster made them an integral part of EG's success.
Player Highlights
Reformed: The longest-standing player on EG, having joined in January 2022, Reformed played a significant role until sidelined when EG partnered in VCT Americas.
BcJ: A prominent signing in the offseason, BcJ moved to the reserve roster midseason after the promotion of Demon1. This move marked the starting point of EG's journey to the world championship.
Reasons Behind the Decision
EG cited changes in the VCT ecosystem and the impending esports winter as factors influencing their decision regarding the reserve program for the next year. They also emphasized that the released players deserved an opportunity to prove themselves further in the VALORANT competitive scene.
Industry Shifts
Recent reports suggest that several VCT Americas teams are planning to reduce player salary expenditures for the upcoming season. This economic backdrop could be a contributing factor to EG's decision.
Conclusion
Evil Geniuses' release of their reserve VALORANT roster marks the end of an era, as these players were instrumental in their journey to the VALORANT Champions 2023 victory. While the organization remains uncertain about the future of their reserve program, they believe that the released players deserve a chance to shine in the competitive VALORANT landscape. The esports community will undoubtedly keep a close eye on the next steps for both EG and the talented individuals now seeking new opportunities in the scene.