Young stars at the RMR

The Major cycle is a prime time for the next generation of CS talent to put themselves on the map and begin their journey to becoming the next best thing in their region. This cycle has turned out no different, with plenty of rising stars trying their best to make an impact and see their stock inflate. Looking back at the Americas RMR, these are the four talents that gave the most rise to their stock.

• Franco “dgt” Garcia (9z)

The 21-year-old rifler representing Uruguay came up huge for his team once again in the Major cycle, this time, closing the RMR fourth in overall rating with a 1.24 through seven maps. His performances against 00Nation and Imperial were pivotal in both of the successful comebacks, but his shining showing was against ATK in their qualification series. He closed the two-map affair with an unreal 45-10 K/D, 101.9 ADR, and 1.93 rating. Needless to say, dgt is a proven catalyst for the surging 9z underdogs.

• Jeorge “jeorgesnorts” Endicott (Nouns)

The Americas RMR was a breakout event for jerogesnorts, having only two Fragadelphia appearances on his career sheet prior. The travel and the circumstance did nothing to the nerves of the 19-year-old, as he came up huge for his team time and time again in his biggest attended event to date. He closed the event tied for fifth with a 1.21 rating over eight maps. His near 40-frag map performances against O PLANO and Imperial is enough proof of the young riflers immense fragging power.

• Felipe “skullz” Medieros (paiN)

paiN’s 20-year-old rifler brought it to the opposition even in defeat, leaving fans optimistic for the future of the lineup. skullz exited the event tied for ninth with a 1.20 rating over nine maps, with his peak performance coming on Nuke against Nouns. He closed that clean team win with a 28-14 K/D, 126.8 ADR, and 1.84 rating. The young paiN lineup has tons of potential, and skullz performance as the RMR proves it.

• Sanzhar “neaLaN” Iskhakov (Evil Geniuses)

The Evil Geniuses turnaround is nothing short of incredible. For the team to go from a domestic laughing stock to a legitimate force in the region in such a short time leaves many wondering in awe what their new ceiling is. In-game leader neaLaN, alongside the studious coaching and managerial staff, has this team running line a well-oiled machine. Their recent showing saw them not only qualify for the Challengers Stage, but almost earn the sole Legends spot. Between the FURIA upset and pushing #4 Liquid to their limits in a BO3, neaLaN is looking like a genius IGL pickup for EG as he’s successfully reinvented the struggling core.