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Nukkye parts ways with GIANTX after two seasons with organization

Nukkye parts ways with GIANTX after two seasons with organization

Valorant

Foo Zen-Wen

29 Feb, 2024, 17:39

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Last updated: 10 Apr, 2025, 08:03

Žygimantas “nukkye” Chmieliauskas has parted ways with GIANTX after a sub-optimal start to their 2024 season. The Lithuanian flex player will likely be sporting different colors soon, with one of the most diverse agent pool of any EMEA player in his arsenal.

At this time, GIANTX has not given clarification on why nukkye was being removed or on who will step into his place on the roster.

GIANTs to GIANTX

The roster’s core have been together since late 2022, when they were initially formed in preparation for the partnered leagues. Then known as Giants Gaming, the roster went on a fairly strong run, making appearances at Champions as one of EMEA’s stronger-looking teams.

Despite that, they failed to achieve a notable placement, finishing in 9th-12th place. Their most notable run during 2023 was at the Last Chance Qualifier, defeating NA’VI in the grand finals to take the fourth seed into Champions for the EMEA region.

At the end of 2023, it was announced that Giants Gaming and Excel Esports was merging operations, creating GIANTX as the amalgamation. Unfortunately, emerging IGL Emir “rhyme” Muminovic had also departed from the roster, retiring from competitive play some months prior during the off-season. This had left the roster with a massive gap to fill.

They brought on acclaimed former Team Liquid IGL Igor “Redgar” Vlasov in his stead. However, GIANTX had a poor start to 2024, falling 0-2 in the Group Stage of Kickoff, only managing to win 2 maps across 2 series.

Nukkye

Nukkye is known for his incredible flexibility. Having competed professionally in VALORANT since late 2020, he has played an incredible breadth of agents, even as late as 2023, pulling out agents as diverse as Raze, Killjoy, Sage, and Sova.

Within the two Kickoff series, nukkye was one of their best performers, suggesting the move was motivated by reasons outside of the server.

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